Speaking in Suba North, Homa Bay County, on Wednesday, November 11, Ida urged supporters of the former Prime Minister to remain in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and respect the political positions he held before his death.
The Kenya Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme said her loyalty remained with ODM and the broad-based government arrangement involving Ruto’s administration.
Ida explained that Raila had left her with clear political commitments, including recognition of Ruto’s leadership. She insisted that she had no intention of changing her position.
“When Baba left us, Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga, who was my husband, he left us suddenly, and he was gone. Some people came to the funeral, others did not,” she said.
She further challenged Raila’s supporters to maintain the political positions they held while he was alive instead of moving to different political camps.
“Where he left me is where I am still standing. I know he left a lot of people. Where he left you is where you should stand. You don’t shift. You don’t shift,” Ida added.
She later listed the three commitments she intends to uphold: remaining in ODM, supporting the broad-based arrangement and recognising Ruto as the country's leader.
Her remarks come amid disagreements within ODM over whether the party should continue working with Ruto's administration or consider a different arrangement before the 2027 elections.
Although she did not explicitly announce support for Ruto's re-election campaign, Ida's declaration places her behind the political cooperation associated with his leadership. She also used the occasion to call on Raila's supporters to remain within ODM and avoid abandoning the direction he had taken.
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