A diplomatic Raila Odinga now says ODM legislators are free to maneuver without fear of being gagged.
In recent weeks, a host of MPs especially from Coastal region have declared support to Deputy President William Ruto thus causing anxiety within the orange camp.
But in a statement issued by his spokesman Dennis Onyango, Raila has however dismissed claims that he has panicked following Ruto's unending raids.
"ODM is therefore not in a campaign trail for 2022 and is not threatening those who have started the campaigns," read the statement.
He further said: "However, when the legally stipulated campaign times comes, ODM will whip its members and rally them behind its candidate."
Last week, a host of coastal leaders led by Kilifi governor Amason Kingi and Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa publicly declared their support for Ruto.
And this precipitated a sharp warning from ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna who threatened to crack a whip on them.