Activist Kasmuel McOure has taken a firm stance regarding his support for President William Ruto’s broad-based government, asserting that his backing is contingent upon the fulfilment of specific demands laid out by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Speaking during an interview on May 7, 2025, McOure emphasised that his position is directly linked to the party’s conditions and that any support will be conditional upon their fulfilment.

Central to these demands is the meaningful inclusion of youth in all areas of public life and governance, which McOure views as essential to achieving a more representative and equitable political structure.

“We at the ODM as a party we have conditions that have to be met for us to support the broad-based government. I can only support the broad-based government if there is meaningful inclusion of youth in all public life and governance, if the government is committed to the protection and strengthening of devolution. If it is inputting and promoting economic investment in the youth,” McOure stated.

“I can only support the government if it is upholding leadership and integrity, if it is safeguarding the rights to peaceful assembly, if it is truthful in audit and reduction of national debt, if it is just in its fight against corruption, if it is prudent in raising and management of resources and if it is keen on protection of the sovereignty of the people.”

The outspoken activist suggested that his willingness to support the administration will increase in proportion to how many of these demands are met.

“Now you have to sit with your pen and paper and ask yourself, out of the 10 things I have listed, how many boxes does the government tick? The closer it gets to 10, the higher my answer is,” Kasmuel declared without giving a definitive answer.

Broad-based govt

McOure’s remarks come as the debate over Ruto’s broad-based government continues to divide the political landscape.

The move, introduced by Ruto in mid-2024, was designed to address Kenya’s economic difficulties, rising unemployment, and escalating national debt.

The opposition party, led by Raila Odinga, made it clear that any cooperation with Ruto’s administration hinges on these key conditions that were set during the signing of the agreement.

The demands included compensation for victims of police brutality during protests, the release of detained individuals, and holding law enforcement accountable for human rights violations. Furthermore, ODM insisted that the government must protect citizens’ rights, especially the right to peaceful protest, and ensure a conducive environment for national dialogue.

House divided

Despite some ODM leaders expressing willingness to work with the government in the spirit of unity, the party remains deeply divided.

ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has been a vocal critic of the broad-based government concept, accusing President Ruto of trying to weaken the opposition.

“Let me first begin by saying this thing called broad-based government – I don’t know where it exists. I don’t recognise any entity called broad-based. There’s a government of Kenya Kwanza under the leadership of President William Ruto. Every Cabinet Secretary who serves in that government serves the Kenya Kwanza government,” Sifuna said recently during Senate proceedings.

This division within ODM has revealed internal tensions. Some within the party believe that joining Ruto’s government would allow them to influence policy from the inside, while others view this as a compromise that undermines ODM’s role as the primary opposition force.