Kenya Moja MPs Dismiss Ruto’s State of the Nation Address, Hint at ODM Exit from Broad-Based Government

A day after President William Ruto delivered his State of the Nation address outlining achievements since taking office three years ago, lawmakers allied to the Kenya Moja coalition launched a scathing attack on the speech, accusing the president of misrepresentation and political posturing.

Speaking during an event in Kisii County, the leaders claimed the address resembled a campaign manifesto rather than a factual national report, and further signaled that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) might withdraw from the broad-based government by March 2026.

ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was the most outspoken, saying he deliberately avoided listening to the speech to prevent being ejected from Parliament for reacting emotionally.

He criticized the president’s promises on transforming Kenya’s education sector to match Singapore’s standards, arguing that universities remain overburdened by debt and lack meaningful support. 

“Private universities are drowning in Ksh.60 billion debt, yet the president talks about Singapore. Does he even understand the crisis?” Sifuna asked.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi echoed the concerns, accusing the President of using the constitutional address to indirectly launch his re-election bid. 

According to Amisi, the enthusiastic applause in Parliament was orchestrated: “Those people cheering were hired,” he claimed, adding that the country continues to suffer setbacks in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba also raised doubts about the accuracy of the president’s economic claims, specifically questioning figures on tea exports. 

Kitutu Chache South MP Antony Kibagendi accused the President of misleading Kenyans with exaggerated claims about exporting labor to Asia and failing to fix the higher education funding model.

The leaders hinted at an imminent political shift within ODM, stating that the party’s involvement in the broad-based government is under review. 

Sifuna warned that ODM members should not assume they are secure within the arrangement, pointing to earlier comments by Raila Odinga suggesting the party could still field a presidential candidate in 2027. 

Amisi added that ODM would “declare a state of emergency” in 2026 to reassess its role, insisting that Raila alone understood when the partnership began failing.

Their remarks come at a time when the ODM fraternity is already grappling with internal uncertainty about its future direction, raising fresh questions about the sustainability of the broad-based governance framework.