As he continues to consolidate power and stamp authority in the running of one of Kenya’s biggest political parties, ODM leader Oburu Oginga has set up a new political nerve centre ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The new private offices located at Riverside Drive have since become a beehive of activity – mirroring the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Capitol Hill offices – as Dr Oginga take a firm grip in steering the outfit into a pre-coalition agreement with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The new address was officially launched on Monday, March 9, 2026, in a colourful event attended by top political figures, including Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. This is the Siaya Senator, who begins to enjoy unfettered access to the trappings of power extended by President William Ruto’s administration.
Trappings of Presidential Power
In the last three days, Dr Oginga has held high-profile meetings in the new office with Governor Sakaja, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko, Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, among other political leaders.
Some of the discussions in the meetings include the 2027 elections plan, ODM-UDA pre-election coalition talks, the March 27 ODM National Delegates Convention, as well as activities to strengthen the party’s grassroots networks ahead of the next elections.
ODM party leader Oburu Oginga addresses his supporters at a rally in Kisumu city on January 24, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Tellingly, Dr Oginga has since been handed enhanced security details on top of having a chase car in his convoy. A chopper has also been made available for his movements, which include accompanying the President for various political activities.
On Friday, he was with President Ruto at State House, Mombasa, to celebrate Iftar – the daily evening meal to break the fast during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. A video of him arriving for the event shows a GK chase car in his convoy.
Insiders say the new office was acquired to make Dr Oginga comfortable and away from any political interference while discharging his roles. He had been operating largely from his modest office at Bunge Towers and at the Orange House, the party’s headquarters.
Once a quiet power broker operating in the shadows of his younger brother, Raila Odinga, the Siaya Senator has emerged as the central authority guiding the party through its most delicate transition since its formation in 2005.
One of his most delicate tasks has been safeguarding the broad-based government arrangement between ODM and President Ruto’s UDA, forged months before Raila’s death.
By virtue of his position, Dr Oginga has become the bridge between ODM and Kenya Kwanza administration – a role requiring tact, restraint and strategic patience.
Analysts say his deep understanding of statecraft and party politics makes him well-suited to manage the transition.
In his visit to the new offices on Wednesday, CS Wandayi said he had extensive deliberations with Dr Oginga on the planned coalition talks with UDA. UDA and ODM are set to constitute an eight-member joint technical committee to spearhead the 2027 pre-election coalition roadmap.
Each of the two parties is set to pick four members, with UDA Executive Director Nichodemus Bore and his ODM counterpart Oduor Ong’wen serving as joint secretaries of the team. Names of the eight members are yet to be made public.
“Had extensive deliberations with the ODM party Leader Dr Oburu Oginga and the Party's National Elections Coordinating Committee Chairperson, Emily Awita. The countdown to the imminent pre-election coalition agreement between ODM and UDA,” said Mr Wandayi.
Dr Oburu already has imitators who tickle social media users by aping his low-timbre voice, his accent, and pauses that seem to land anywhere in his sentences.
Photo credit: John Nyagah | Nation Media Group
Governor Johnson Sakaja said his discussion with Dr Oginga centred on the cooperation between UDA and ODM in the running of the capital city. He said the plan by the two outfits is to pull all the stops in ensuring the broad-based team captures a majority of the seats in the next elections.
“I know the president and ODM party leadership are keen on coalition building; this is a direction, as the Nairobi leadership, we want to pursue as well. Through cooperation and collaboration, we have worked so well with the City-County assembly, so we are keen on such a collaboration,” Mr Sakaja said.
He added, “My conversation with the ODM party leader picked up from where we left off with Raila Odinga; I was the first person to champion for a handshake between William Ruto and Raila Odinga, that handshake is now anchored on a broad-based government; I know if UDA and ODM work together, we shall retain the elective county seats and ultimately the presidency.”
Governor Sakaja – who will be seeking a second term in the 2027 contest – recently indicated his readiness to defend his seat on either UDA or ODM.
In his meeting with Governor Ayacko and Ms Passaris on Thursday, Dr Oginga said his engagements with the two leaders focused on drainage and waste management systems in Nairobi, as well as the ongoing infrastructural developments and the push for last-mile connectivity in Migori, affirming his growing influence in President Ruto’s administration.
“As leaders within the ODM Party, we also deliberated on the upcoming National Delegates Convention (NDC), scheduled for March 27, 2026,” said Dr Oginga.
Governor Ayacko said the meeting also deliberated on plans to strengthen the outfit at the grassroots level, saying “the need to strengthen our party structures as we continue advancing our shared agenda for the people.”
But critics of the broad-based arrangement have described the latest pampering of Dr Oginga as part of President Ruto's plan to capture power.
“He is not a government official but has been given a chase car, enhanced security among other trappings of power. He was not used to that kind of treatment. He is enjoying all these trappings of power for the first time. Such a person can do anything to please his benefactor,” said an ODM member critical of the arrangement.
In a previous interview, ODM co-deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi said the party was being controlled from State House. Siaya Governor James Orengo has also made similar claims, alleging capture of the 20-year-old outfit by President Ruto.
“External forces are influencing how things are being done here. I have seen meetings being done outside the structures of the party, and I have seen people engaging outside the structures of the party. One point I told President Ruto is that he should address ODM through its structures,” said Mr Osotsi.
