Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Oburu Oginga has revealed plans for a separate coalition negotiation team between the ODM and President William Ruto’s camp.
Speaking during the climax of the month-long Raila Amolo Odinga anniversary celebrations at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi on Saturday, October 31, Oburu said the two sides had already established a technical team and would appoint a separate team to handle coalition negotiations before February 2027.
The Siaya Senator explained that the technical team, comprising five representatives from each side, was already working on policy and constitutional matters, with its work nearing completion.
He added that the coalition negotiation team would be established immediately after the technical team completed its work and would have a different mandate.
“What they do not know is that we have already announced to the public five members each from ODM, who are already working on the constitution and policies of the party, and they are soon concluding that work. Immediately after that, we had promised that before February next year, we are going to have a coalition team, which will be completely different from the technical team,” Oburu said.
According to Oburu, the coalition team would be appointed jointly by his side and President Ruto’s camp.
Further, the ODM party leader dismissed claims that the relationship between the two political formations was based on a loose arrangement without defined structures.
Oburu’s clarification came during ODM’s final event under the Mwezi wa Baba program, which was organized to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of the party’s founding leader, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Oburu Explains ODM’s Position in Broad-Based Government
The ODM leader also used the occasion to distinguish between the broad-based government arrangement and a formal coalition, arguing that the two political arrangements should not be treated as the same.
Oburu argued that a broad-based government is a loose arrangement between political parties, while a coalition requires negotiations and agreed structures to guide the relationship.
He insisted that ODM did not enter the broad-based government unthinkingly, saying the party was conscious of its political interests and had established mechanisms to guide its participation.
Oburu further warned ODM members against making public statements that contradict the party’s official position.
Supporters were urged to respect its policies and maintain discipline as the 2027 elections approach.
ODM Supporters Issue Warning to Gachagua and Opposition Leaders
ODM leaders have hit back at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other opposition figures over claims that the party has lost its political relevance and is dominated by ageing politicians.
Speaking during the closing on October 31, the leaders defended ODM’s political strength, insisting that the party remained influential despite the death of its longtime leader, Raila Odinga.
ODM National Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga led the response, telling Gachagua to leave the party alone and accusing him of promoting divisive politics.
Wanga dismissed claims that ODM was dead or full of old people, arguing that the party’s political identity and structures remained intact under its current leadership.
She invoked Raila’s teachings on peaceful politics, saying the former Prime Minister had taught ODM members to pursue their political ambitions without promoting hostility among Kenyans.
The Homa Bay Governor also accused Gachagua of engaging in tribal politics that, according to her, benefit selected communities and regions rather than advancing the interests of the entire country.
Ledama Ole Kina, Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho, also joined the ODM leaders in challenging opposition figures and defending the party against claims that it had lost relevance following Raila’s death.
In support of the defense, the party’s Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja also used the Jacaranda gathering to appeal for political support ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Sakaja linked his political future to ODM and the broad-based government arrangement, urging supporters to back his re-election as Nairobi Governor.
Jacaranda Rally Amid Debate Over ODM’s Political Direction
ODM had organized activities across different parts of the country throughout October before bringing the celebrations to a close at Jacaranda Grounds.
Ahead of the October 31 rally, ODM Nairobi chairman George Aladwa said the gathering would attract supporters from across the country and provide an opportunity for party leaders to discuss ODM’s future
Jacaranda Grounds had previously hosted the September 13 Linda Mwananchi rally associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo.
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