Wamuzi News Ke
In a startling political maneuver that has sent ripples through Kenya’s election-readiness landscape, Kisii Governor and ODM deputy party leader Simba Arati has publicly invited both President William Ruto and former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka (along with former President Uhuru Kenyatta) to return to the ranks of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) — less than a week after making a similar overture to Ruto alone.
A Two-Pronged Invitation
On October 26 2025, Simba Arati used a public ceremony in Kisumu to issue what observers are calling a “dual invitation” — urging Uhuru Kenyatta and Kalonzo to re-join ODM, citing the need to honour late party leader Raila Odinga’s legacy and to position the party as a vehicle to reclaim power in the 2027 elections.
This comes just days after Arati told President Ruto to re-register as an ODM member and announced that the party would make him its 2027 presidential candidate if he accepted.
Why This Move Is Explosive
The implications of Arati’s invitations are manifold:
- Party realignment drama: ODM, long tethered to the Azimio coalition and positioned in opposition, seems to be switching gears — inviting incumbents and former high-profile leaders back into its fold. This could reshape Kenya’s political alliances heading into the next general election.
- Potential fracturing of allegiances: For Ruto and Uhuru, both of whom have strong associations with the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition, the invitation poses a high-stakes proposition. Accepting could mean abandoning current alliances; declining could signify political isolation from an influential opposition vehicle reshaping itself.
- Legacy and symbolism: Arati framed the outreach as a tribute to Raila Odinga’s “vision” for the party, highlighting that Ruto was once a founding member of ODM. By inviting Ruto back as flagbearer, Arati signals an aim to re-centre the party around its origins.
- Timing and strategy: With 2027 looming, the dual invitation serves as a bold signal that ODM is not waiting for the handshake of coalition politics to define its future but is attempting to proactively forge new possibilities, possibly anchoring itself with high-profile names.
Reactions and Forecast
Political analysts are already scrambling to interpret the motives behind Arati’s gambit:
- Some see it as a tactical move by ODM to broaden its base by embracing figures once considered opponents.
- Others view it as a sign of internal recalibration within ODM, which has been in flux since Odinga’s passing. The party is reportedly under pressure to redefine its relevance and electoral strategy.
- Questions remain over how Ruto, Uhuru and Kalonzo will respond. Will they treat the invitation as serious overture or mere political theatre? Their choices could realign major blocs in Kenyan politics.
- Local Kenyans are watching whether the invitation triggers defections, new coalitions or potentially an entirely new party realignment ahead of the next vote.
The Bottom Line
In openly welcoming both President Ruto and elder statesmen Uhuru Kenyatta and Kalonzo Musyoka back into ODM, Simba Arati has ignited one of the most dramatic political moments in Kenya this year. Whether this invitation becomes a defining moment for party realignment, or fades into symbolic overture, remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: Kenya’s march to the 2027 elections just gained unexpected momentum — and all eyes will be on the responses that follow.
