Mbadi Fires Back at Ruth Odinga After Leaked ODM Retreat Remarks
Politics Updated: 11 May 2026 16:19 EAT
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has broken his silence following controversy surrounding remarks he made during the recent ODM retreat in Mombasa, insisting that his comments were truthful, necessary, and intended to safeguard the future of the Orange Democratic Movement.
In a strongly worded statement issued after backlash from Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, Mbadi accused some party leaders of distorting his remarks despite the retreat having been intended as a closed-door forum for frank reflection and internal dialogue.
Mbadi said the Mombasa retreat offered ODM leaders “a private moment for candid talk and introspection,” adding that he was surprised to see parts of his speech publicly challenged. He maintained that what was discussed internally should ideally have remained within party structures.
“I’m therefore surprised to see my sister Ruth Adhiambo Odinga distort my speech; something which could have entirely remained in-house since that’s what maturity demands,” Mbadi stated while releasing what he described as the “raw and unfiltered” version of his remarks.
During the address, Mbadi openly warned ODM leaders against internal dishonesty and political double standards, arguing that the biggest threat facing the party was not external rebellion but uncertainty within its own ranks.
“Let me be candid. I know and I agree with my colleagues that we have been called upon to speak freely and honestly. Let me tell you: the problem which is going to hit ODM is not the splinter group. It is you. It is me who is here and is not sure where you want to go,” Mbadi said.
He accused some party members of pretending to support party unity while secretly weighing political alternatives outside ODM structures.
“We have many of you here who are not sure whether to join the so-called ‘Linda Wanji’ or to remain here and support the mainstream. You come here and you pretend that you want ODM to be united,” he added.
Mbadi also reflected on his long political journey, reminding delegates that he had remained active through several political transitions dating back to the Ford era, long before ODM was founded.
“I have been around for a while. I did not start politics with ODM. I have been around from the time we had a party called Ford. I have been around when it became Ford Kenya. I have been around when we formed NDP. I have been around when we formed LDP. I have been around when we went into NARC. I have been around when we formed ODM,” he stated.
The Treasury CS argued that political parties cannot survive when leaders plotting division continue operating from within, saying ODM must confront internal fractures directly instead of pretending unity exists where it does not.
“There is no single time when you see people who have made a resolve to divide the party and they stay in the party. It is impossible. Let us not pretend. Let us see how to get the best out of this party,” Mbadi told the gathering.
A significant part of Mbadi’s speech focused on ODM’s national identity, where he strongly rejected suggestions that the party belongs to a single ethnic bloc or political family.
“This party does not belong to one community. This is a national party. ODM does not belong to the ‘L’ community. It does not belong to one community. It does not belong to a family,” he declared.
Mbadi specifically praised communities outside ODM’s traditional support base, highlighting the loyalty the party has received from regions such as Turkana over the years.
“As my colleagues have said, this party has Raila and has been supported by people across the country. In fact, it is not even the four regions. Raila has been supported by Turkanas. Turkanas have been very much solid behind ODM,” he said.
The remarks appeared to directly target individuals perceived to wield influence within ODM based on family ties to party leader Raila Odinga, comments widely interpreted as referring to Ruth Odinga.
“You know we have a party where someone, because she is the sister of a party leader, thinks she can also order us around. You cannot,” Mbadi stated bluntly.
Mbadi further addressed the difficult conversation surrounding ODM’s future after Raila Odinga, saying party members must accept political reality and prepare for a transition into what he termed the “post-Baba era.”
“We have supported this party. I know Baba has been a very solid leader. We must now manage the transition. Baba is no more in the party leadership; this is the post-Baba era. We must be candid. We must be forthright and we must chart our way forward,” he said.
At the same time, Mbadi acknowledged Raila’s enormous contribution to ODM and Kenya’s opposition politics, while insisting that party loyalists and grassroots leaders also played a critical role in building his political stature nationally.
“Baba did a lot for us, but we also fought for Baba. So if you are Baba’s sister, please respect us. If it were not for us, Baba would not be the person he was by the time he was leaving,” he stated.
Mbadi also reminded members about the party’s existing leadership hierarchy, emphasizing that ODM is governed through formal structures rather than family influence or personality cults.
“You must know it is your brother who is a party leader. You must know Gladys is the chairman. You must remember Simba is the deputy party leader. You must know Abdul Samad is the deputy party leader,” he said.
Despite the sharp tone of some remarks, Mbadi concluded by urging party members to preserve ODM’s unity, warning that fragmentation would weaken the political fortunes of many leaders ahead of future elections.
“I am speaking to you with love. Without this party, you are weakened. Let us remain the way we were. If this party is strong, many of you will come back to parliament. Many of you will win back your seats,” Mbadi said.
“With a weaker party, it is harder. It is more difficult,” he concluded.
The public fallout between Mbadi and Ruth Odinga has now exposed deeper conversations within ODM over succession politics, internal democracy, loyalty, and the future direction of the party as Kenya’s political landscape gradually shifts toward the 2027 General Election.
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FELIX MAKONA
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