The 2027 political undertones played out during the burial ceremony of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who died a year after forming a broad-based government with President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Top party officials publicly clashed over Mr Odinga's position on whether ODM should back Dr Ruto's re-election bid in 2027.
While some of the officials said the party is under firm instructions from Mr Odinga to remain in the broad-based government, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna said it was the veteran politician's wish for the party to front a candidate in the next presidential election.
Mr Sifuna reminded mourners of Mr Odinga's last public pronouncement when he suggested that ODM still had an option to have a candidate in the next poll.
Edwin Sifuna: Raila said that ODM will be in the ballot in 2027
In his last public appearance on September 22, 2027, Mr Odinga reminded ODM members to read and stick to the content of the March 2025 MoU, which he insisted does not cover the 2027 elections.
“We have not passed any resolution as a party to say how we are going to go into the elections of 2027. So wherever you are, don’t commit the party to somethings that have not been discussed,” said Mr Odinga.
“Let those things be discussed first. We are ODM, who told you that ODM will not have a candidate in 2027? First, think as ODM, we have a clear plan that we have negotiated and agreed on; other decisions will be taken when the time comes,” he told a Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting for the party’s members of the National Assembly held on September 22, 2027.
Mr Sifuna said he would do everything within his role to ensure ODM remains united. He accused some of his colleagues in the party of pushing divisive narrative.
"This is not the time to push divisive narratives in the party. This party, I will not be part of those who will participate in bringing down ODM ODM is Baba's biggest legacy; I will do everything to make the party remain united, even in open provocation," said Mr Sifuna.
But other top party officials led by National Chairman and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, National Assembly Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo and Mr Odinga's sister, said the former Prime Minister gave instructions days before he died that ODM remains firmly in broad-based government.
Gladys Wanga: Raila gave us clear instructions, that remain in broad-based government
They also praise President Ruto for standing with Mr Odinga in his time of death, promising him that the party will not forget his gesture going into the 2027 elections.
The officials also called for unity to allow the party negotiate as a unit going into the next contest.
Mr Odinga signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UDA in March 2027, months after he had 'donated' five of his top party officials to join the Cabinet.
"We have always followed Raila. The last instructions he left, is for us to work with you (Ruto) under the broad-based government," said Governor Wanga.
"Our people are holding critical dockets in government. We are in charge of finance(Treasury CS John Mbadi), we are in charge of security(Interior PS Raymond Omollo). That is where Raila told us to be," she added.
Governor Abdullswamad Nassir: ODM will not be in the opposition in 2027
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, ODM co-deputy party leader, said they will not betray the former premier by remaining in the broad-based government.
Mr Nassir said ODM has made a resolution not to be in the opposition again, suggesting a decision to back Dr Ruto for a second term.
Ms Odhiambo said the party has forgiven those who wished Mr Odinga death, but the party members will not forget.
"I talked to Raila on Monday, and he told me we have to remain united as a party."
"He also told me that I am fine, and surprised that there are people who have killed and buried me. Those who killed Baba before he died, we forgive you, but we will never forget. For those who stood with Baba, we shall not forget," she said.
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga eulogises his brother Raila Odinga during the funeral service at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University grounds in Bondo, Siaya County on October 19, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Following the ODM MoU with UDA, the 20-year-old Orange party has faced major divisions.
The party has found itself caught up in ideological differences between those in support of the broad-based government and those opposed to the deal.
Some of the opponents of the agreement had before Mr Odinga's death, indicated that they would bolt out of the party should the outfit decide to back President Ruto's 2027 re-election. The party has since named Dr Oburu Oginga as its interim party leader.
“I have never betrayed Raila when he was alive and I will not betray his cause in death. I cannot be where Raila did not take me. I was taken to the broad based government by Raila. The ODM party is not going to disintegrate. For those who want to disintegrate ODM, it is them, we will kick out of the party because the party is here to stay.”
CS Hassan Joho: Mwenye anafikiria atavunja chama cha ODM, tutamfukuza
“The last public event we had was when he met us with other leaders where he asked us to remain united. We were to make resolutions and he asked us to remain in broad based government. ODM will either form government or will be in a coalition that will form government. But ODM will not be in a coalition comprising leaders who used to insult Baba. For the legacy of Baba, we have agreed to implement the NADCO report fully.”
Junet Mohamed: Those who abused Baba for political gain are now finished
Co-operatives and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya said:
“Raila was a very peaceful person, since it is important for the development of this country. There are no permanent friends in politics and that is why he took me government. He told us to remain in broad based government and those given opportunity to lead the ODM Party, protect it.”
CS Wycliffe Oparanya: Raila taught me there are no permanent enemies in politics
"Raila told me that he has been in many political arrangements, in many political coalitions, he said you (the President), you are a genuine person. There are people, who he worked with but he ended up with short end of the stick. He got a raw deal. Baba has left us in the broad-based government, we will remain with you in the broad-based government now and beyond 2027.”
“Mr President don't be shaken, in our community a leader knows his death and he does show it so when he is about to die he gives signs. Raila showed us before he died that he wants us to remain in government.”
CS John Mbadi: I am happy I never betrayed Raila Odinga
