Ruto Responds To Simba Arati’s Call To Rejoin ODM
President William Ruto has reacted to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati’s request to rejoin the party.
Speaking at the ODM Founders Dinner on Saturday, the President reaffirmed his commitment to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) while insisting on his continued support for the broad-based administration.
Ruto, who is a founding member of ODM and has previously served as its deputy party leader, joked that he had to include the yellow color to avert rumors that he had left the ruling party.
The Head of State wore a yellow Kaunda suit to signify the UDA and an orange hat to represent ODM.
‘I have no apologies to make’ – Ruto brags about his status as one of ODM’s founding members pic.twitter.com/SSn6L8MVSA
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) November 16, 2025
“Earlier today, I was in Kitui, and I knew that when I come for this ODM meeting, Simba Arati will start telling me to join ODM because he is used to saying it,” Ruto said, eliciting chuckles from the crowd.
“I knew the UDA members would think I had left them, so I decided to wear yellow so that they could see I was still with them.”
Adding, “But I had to mix with orange so that they can see I am still broad-based. I hear the Ukambani colour is also yellow, so I started in Kitui, then I came here.”
However, he stated that his administration would provide whatever necessary support to the ODM Party in the future, including mentioning ODM Party members already serving in his Cabinet.
There have been some calls for Ruto to rejoin the party in recent weeks, following the death of former ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga.
Speaking on October 20, just five days after Raila’s death, Governor Arati stated that if President Ruto joined the party, he would automatically be deemed its presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election.
He was referring to the President’s previous remarks regarding ODM’s legacy and appeals for unity within the party as a critical indicator of his good standing with the party.
“The President yesterday said he is going to ensure that ODM remains the party it is,” Arati said.
“I want to urge him today, Mheshimiwa Ruto, you were a founding member of ODM. How I wish that you would come back to your former party.”
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A few days later, Arati extended the invitation to other former ODM members, including former President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.
Governor Simba Arati welcomes President Ruto, former President Uhuru, and Kalonzo back to ODM pic.twitter.com/hhLPrHQFlH
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 25, 2025
He urged them to also rejoin the party so as to guarantee a second term for the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“As the deputy party leader, we have told President William Ruto to come back to ODM,” the Kisii governor said on October 25.
“We also want to tell Uhuru Kenyatta and even Kalonzo, who was also in ODM, to come back to honour Raila Odinga by coming back to ODM so that we can win in 2027.”
Ruto Responds To Simba Arati’s Call To Rejoin ODM
