Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga says she is prepared to leave the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) if necessary to defend justice and the ideals her late brother, Raila Odinga, stood for, during the first anniversary commemoration of Raila’s death, on October 15.
Ruth said she would move to another party if staying in ODM prevented her from pursuing those principles.
“If not ODM and I move on to another party, I will move on because I want justice to remain in Kenya,” she said.
Ruth further added that her father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, taught the family not to fear speaking up. She described both Jaramogi and Raila as champions of democracy, social justice and people’s rights.
“We are not afraid! My father Jaramogi never taught us to be scared and Jaramogi fought for the right and the democracy of this country. He always said that people should have the right to speak,” she said.
She also said Raila had stood against systems that harm people and for one that protected the rights of every Kenyan.
“Raila never stood for a system that was there to kill people, to maim people, to bribe people. But one that was there to ensure that every Kenyan had a right.”
She added that Raila had suffered imprisonment and other hardships because of his beliefs but had continued to advocate for peaceful change. Ruth urged Kenyans to preserve what he fought for.
“What Raila fought for should remain. Raila is still on, and Raila will live on, and we Kenyans must defend that.”
Her remarks signal that she is willing to consider leaving ODM but she did not announce that she had quit the party or name another party she might join.
Ruth ended by insisting that justice must remain the priority, regardless of party affiliation, saying “We must fight for justice and we must fight forever.”
