ODM structures across the country are being mobilised to back the planned coalition with UDA for the 2027 General Election ahead of the party’s national delegates conference (NDC) to be convened anytime this year.
President William Ruto’s UDA on Wednesday resolved to form a team jointly with ODM to discuss formation of a coalition for the 2027 elections.
The resolution was made by UDA’s National Executive Committee meeting chaired by the president, two days after ODM’s Central Management Committee (CMC) mandated the party leader, Senator Oburu Oginga, to commence coalition talks.
President Ruto and Dr Oginga are expected to form a technical team to begin the coalition talks that would include fronting a joint presidential candidate and sharing of positions.
ODM has previously indicated its intention to back President Ruto’s re-election, but has laid claim on the running mate slot.
“The NEC noted the decision of the ODM Party’s Central Management Committee to initiate structured negotiations with the UDA Party, in the Kenya Kwanza Coalition, to strengthen the ongoing political partnership and negotiate a coalition agreement ahead of the 2027 General Election,” the party said in a statement.
Opposed to Ruto’s re-election
“The NEC mandated the UDA Party Leader to establish mechanisms for structured engagement with the ODM party to achieve the desired outcome.”
There has been coordinated endorsement of the proposed coalition within ODM, starting with the assembling of about 40 party MPs in Nairobi’s Karen to endorse the decision. On Tuesday, delegates from various regions were being mobilised to declare their support for the move.
The mobilisation in the regions has been informed by fears that those opposed to President Ruto’s re-election could pull a surprise on the pro-broad-based team at the NDC.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna (right) with Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris (centre) Raila Odinga Junior during celebrations marking what would have been the 81st birthday of former Prime Minister the late Raila Odinga at his home in Karen, Nairobi, on January 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, co-deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, Siaya Governor James Orengo, MPs Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Caleb Amisi (Saboti) and Antony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South) are among ODM leaders opposed to backing the president’s re-election.
They have since demanded for an NDC for delegates to have the final say on the way forward for the party that has been rocked by divisions following the death of its founder Raila Odinga .
However, ODM co-deputy party leader and Kisii Governor Simba Arati has previously dismissed the chances of the rebels prevailing at the NDC.
Kisii County Governor Simba Arati during the interview at his Lavington office in Nairobi on January 9, 2026.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
“We were supposed to have our NDC towards the end of the year, but we may be forced to have it earlier to prove to the country that this is a strong party. There are those who think that after the NDC the party will disintegrate. It is not possible. The NDC would be just to affirm what the people already know,” he told the Nation in an interview.
On Monday, Dr Oginga said ODM is ready to begin talks with different political formations, with UDA first in line. He added that the party cannot afford to wait to begin preparations for the 2027 elections.
“We will soon establish a negotiating team to begin talks with UDA because it is very difficult for a party to go it alone without seeking the support of others. Therefore, we must negotiate with others. We will start with our partners in the broad-based arrangement,” Dr Oginga said last Friday in Alego Usonga, Siaya County.
“We got into this government by accident. As we approach 2027, we are not going to get into government through back door. I will head the ODM negotiations,” he added.
Following Monday’s CMC meeting, Dr Oginga said ODM will also start groundwork aimed at positioning the party as a major player in the next polls.
The party leader and a host of other ODM top leaders have been public in their support of the broad-based government. Some of the officials have publicly indicated that working with President Ruto remains ODM’s most viable path to power.
