ODM Insider Admits Linda Ground Blunder, Says Ruto Stood With Party When It Was Weak

ODM political activist Kasmuel McOure has described the party’s Linda Ground campaign as one of its biggest political mistakes, arguing that internal rivalries helped fuel the emergence of the Linda Mwananchi movement.

McOure has also defended continued political cooperation with President William Ruto, saying the President stood with ODM when the party was at its weakest and that the support should be reciprocated.

In a candid reflection on ODM’s recent political history, McOure said the party’s leadership ignored warnings about the Linda Ground strategy because money had already been spent, campaign merchandise had been branded and leaders were unwilling to change course.

“The ODM ‘LINDA’ sibling rivalries were among our biggest blunders as a party, and perhaps the clearest illustration of the sunk cost fallacy in our recent political history,” McOure said.

He argued that ODM could have avoided much of its current internal conflict had its leadership reconsidered the strategy before disagreements escalated.

“Leadership was forewarned that the Linda Ground push was a mistake but pressed on because funds had been released, merchandise had already been branded and no one wanted to make a strategic retreat and chart a new course,” McOure stated.

“Had we cut our losses then, the rivalry might never have ballooned into what it is today.”

Kasmuel McOure Says Linda Ground Fallout Created Linda Mwananchi

McOure acknowledged that the internal rivalry had consequences beyond ODM, arguing that the fallout contributed to the emergence of a rival movement that has since become an important force in opposition politics.

“It was a miscalculation so consequential that the most vibrant movement in the opposition emerged from our fallout and has since fought to claim the LINDA MWANANCHI name itself,” he said.

His remarks highlight the political consequences of ODM’s disagreements over its strategy and future direction, as competing factions seek to establish their positions ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Despite having reservations about the Linda Ground campaign, McOure said he continued supporting the party’s official position because he believed collective loyalty should take precedence over individual preferences.

“We gave LINDA GROUND our all anyway, even after voicing our reservations, because we believed then, as we do now, that the party’s collective position should supersede individual preferences,” he said.

“We LOST that battle.”

The admission underscores the depth of the divisions that developed around the campaign and raises questions about whether ODM could have managed its internal differences differently.

‘President Ruto Stood With Us When It Mattered’

McOure also defended continued political cooperation with President William Ruto, arguing that the President supported ODM when it was at its weakest.

“At the time of our proverbial Abraham-and-Lot parting, ODM was at its weakest. President Ruto stood with us when it mattered,” McOure said.

He criticised some legislators and ministers who, in his view, failed to help the party navigate its internal divisions, leaving younger members to defend difficult political decisions.

“Key legislators and ministers who should have helped steer us out of that mess sat on the fence or thumped their chests while we, the young people, once again did our part,” he stated.

McOure added that his efforts to defend ODM’s political positions prompted speculation that he was seeking the party’s Secretary General position, an ambition he denied.

“We extended ourselves so zealously for the party that some imagined I was angling for the Secretary General’s position, an office I never desired,” he said.

Reflecting on that period, McOure said party loyalty had required members to defend decisions they did not always agree with.

“We navigated horrible decisions together. We publicly defended uncomfortable positions, sometimes against our better judgement, because we loved the party and believed in its survival,” he said.

ODM Activist Questions Whether Opposing Ruto Would Amount to Betrayal

McOure questioned whether ODM members could justify turning against Ruto after the support he allegedly extended to the party during its difficult political period.

“How, then, do we justify turning against the very man who stood with us at our weakest?” he asked.

“Is that not precisely the charge of betrayal our party has spent years trying to shake off?”

He argued that political relationships should be guided by principle and reciprocity rather than short-term convenience, signalling his support for continued cooperation between Ruto and the political faction he represents.

“Now that we have regained our footing, our political commitments to President William Ruto should be guided by principle and reciprocity, not convenience,” McOure said.

“The support he gave us in difficult times deserves to be acknowledged and returned.”

His position adds to the debate over ODM’s political direction, its relationship with the President and the ambitions of leaders positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.

McOure Names Oburu Oginga and Raymond Omollo as Community Representatives

McOure also identified ODM leader Dr Oburu Oginga and Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo as the leaders who should represent the community’s interests in engagements with the President.

“If our community’s interests are to be presented to the President, that responsibility should rest with leaders who have the experience, judgement and standing to represent our community’s best interests: Dr. Oburu Oginga and PS Dr. Raymond Omollo,” he said.

The proposal places the two leaders at the centre of McOure’s preferred approach to engaging the national government, with an emphasis on experience, judgement and the ability to articulate community interests.

McOure concluded by reaffirming his support for the political arrangement and calling for unconditional backing.

“TUTAM BILA CONDITIONS.

“Usawa Ni Sawa. Mbele Pamoja.”

His remarks add to the debate over ODM’s internal divisions, the rise of Linda Mwananchi and the future of the party’s relationship with Ruto.

With political alliances and succession ambitions likely to remain central to preparations for the 2027 elections, McOure’s statement presents a case for political loyalty based on past support while reopening questions about the decisions that contributed to ODM’s internal rivalry.