NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 31 – ODM leader Oburu Oginga and his deputies have clashed over the party’s planned cooperation with President William Ruto, exposing fresh questions about the terms of a possible political deal ahead of the 2027 General Election.

While Oburu told supporters that ODM was already negotiating with Ruto’s team and preparing for a formal coalition arrangement, his deputy leaders Simba Arati and Abdulswamad Nassir insisted that the party would not enter any agreement without conditions.

The difference emerged during ODM’s rally at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi on Saturday, where Oburu addressed supporters through a recorded video as he continues to recover from illness.

In his message, the party leader sought to explain the difference between the existing broad-based government arrangement and a formal coalition, saying the two could not operate in the same way.

“A broad-based government is completely different from a coalition government, and it cannot function the same,” Oburu said.

He revealed that ODM had appointed five members to work on the party’s constitution and policy proposals, adding that a separate coalition negotiating team would be formed with representatives from both ODM and Ruto’s camp.

“This coalition team is going to be appointed by us, by my team, and by President Ruto’s team,” he said.

Oburu said the process was expected to be completed before February next year, insisting that the party was following the law and its internal structures.

However, his deputies delivered a more direct message on what ODM expects from the proposed arrangement.

Kisii Governor and ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati told supporters that the party would set conditions before agreeing to work with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

He appeared to respond to suggestions that ODM should cooperate with the President without attaching demands to the arrangement.

“They are telling us that we should not set conditions for His Excellency William Ruto. As the ODM party, we are saying that we must set conditions for any agreement,” Arati said.

He added: “To cooperate with the UDA, we must set conditions that will ensure we get into government.”

He also insisted that the cooperation must respect the political principles championed by the late Raila Odinga.

ODM Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Nassir also pushed the party’s bargaining position, declaring that the next Deputy President could come from ODM if the party agreed to work with Ruto.

He argued that cooperation should be based on respect and a fair political arrangement.

“”Respect does not come without calculation”,” Nassir told supporters, meaning respect must come with consideration or a fair return.

He repeatedly asked the crowd why ODM should not seek the Deputy President position, pointing to the party’s senior leaders as possible candidates.

“The Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya will be from ODM” he declared.

In his recorded address, Oburu also urged ODM members to respect the party’s position and avoid making statements that contradict its official policy.

“If you want to express your view, don’t express it against the policy of the party. If you are a member of the party, please be disciplined and follow the policies of your party,” he said.

His virtual appearance came as he continues recovering from an illness that has kept him away from public party events.

He was discharged from hospital on October 19 and has been recuperating at home.

The Jacaranda gathering marked the climax of ODM’s month-long activities commemorating the first anniversary of Raila Odinga’s death.