Mbadi spoke on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Misambi Modern Market in Kabondo-Kasipul, Homa Bay County, while accompanying Ruto during the President’s development tour of Nyanza.
Responding to claims that Raila was undecided on whether to support Ruto, Mbadi cited his decades-long working relationship with the former Prime Minister, saying he has worked with him since 1992. “I have heard people say that Baba was not decided whether to support William Ruto or not. Today I want to confirm to you here, I have worked with Baba from 1992, and I don’t even have to listen to hear Baba to know what he is thinking. I can read the body language of Baba,” Mbadi said.
Mbadi said Raila’s position became clear when ODM entered the broad-based government, claiming the former Prime Minister personally instructed him to support Ruto’s development agenda. “When Baba brought us broad-based government, his words to me were very clear. He told me that I must make sure that I support President Ruto to deliver on his agenda,” he said.
Mbadi further argued that Raila supported discussions on Kenya’s debt and urged the government to deliver on key programmes, including housing and healthcare. “He also informed the president that we must work with this team of economic advisors, and he told the president to make sure that he delivers on the housing project. He told the president to make sure that he delivered on healthcare,” Mbadi said. “Therefore, I know for a fact, if there is any person who wanted President Ruto to succeed, it is one Raila Amolo Odinga,” he added.
Mbadi linked Raila to a 2027 ODM-UDA plan, saying Raila viewed ODM’s participation in the broad-based government as part of wider political cooperation with Ruto. “He even considered Ruto as part of ODM. When Ruto became president, he felt like already ODM was part of the government,” he said.
Mbadi then claimed the cooperation was expected to continue into the 2027 election and beyond. “Na tutasimama 2027 na beyond 2027 tutafanya kazi pamoja na William Samoei Ruto na Kenya itaendelea mbele,” he said, indicating that they would stand together in 2027 and beyond, work with Ruto and that Kenya would continue forward.
His remarks come as ODM leaders publicly defend the party’s cooperation with Ruto, with the late Raila’s position repeatedly cited by party officials during the President’s Nyanza tour. ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati said on Wednesday that the party would honour Raila’s position to remain in the broad-based arrangement.
Mbadi’s account adds a personal dimension to the political explanation, as he says Raila directly instructed him to support Ruto’s administration while maintaining that ODM’s cooperation with the President was intended to continue beyond the current arrangement.