ODM party leader Oburu Oginga/SCREENGRAB

ODM leader Oburu Oginga has defended the party’s decision to work with President William Ruto’s administration, insisting the arrangement is deliberate and backed by negotiations as the country heads towards the 2027 General Election.

‎Speaking virtually at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi on Saturday during the closing rally of Mwezi wa Baba, Oburu said ODM was not participating in the broad-based government without clear objectives and structures to guide its engagement with the ruling coalition.

‎“We are in this broad-based government, and we are not there blindly,” he said.

‎“We want to tell whoever is thinking that we are in this broad-based government blindly, we are not. Raila did not go there blindly, and we are not ourselves there in this broad-based government blindly. We are there consciously, and we are there knowing what we are doing.”

‎Oburu said the arrangement should not be confused with a formal coalition, arguing that the two political frameworks operate differently and require distinct approaches to negotiations.

‎“A broad-based government is completely different from a coalition government, and it cannot function the same,” he said, adding that ODM was negotiating in accordance with the country’s laws and statutes.

‎The ODM leader disclosed that the party had appointed five members to a technical team working on constitutional and policy issues relating to the arrangement.

‎He said a separate coalition team would be established before February next year, with members appointed by both ODM and Ruto’s side.

‎“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.

‎He added that the coalition team would be appointed jointly by his team and that of the President.

‎Oburu’s remarks come amid political debate within ODM over its relationship with the ruling administration and the party’s direction ahead of the 2027 polls.

‎He also warned party members against publicly taking positions that contradict official party policy, calling for discipline as ODM prepares for the next election.

‎“If you want to express your own 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 as we move towards the 2027 General Election,” he said.

‎The rally marked the final day of the month-long activities held in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whom Oburu described as a national leader and the central figure in ODM’s history.

‎He said the party had a particular reason to celebrate Raila because of his leadership and role in its formation and growth.

‎Oburu said Raila’s political activism was driven by conviction and a determination to fight oppression, rather than simply his family background.

‎The ODM leader also thanked Kenyans who had sent messages wishing him a quick recovery following his recent illness, saying he hoped to resume political activities soon.

‎“My party is, I think, the biggest party north of the Limpopo and south of it,” he said, asserting ODM’s political strength as it prepares for the next electoral contest.

‎He urged supporters to continue pursuing freedom and development, while insisting the party would approach the 2027 election through its established structures and policies.