Oburu Odinga to Lead Early Talks with Ruto Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has announced plans to open structured negotiations with other political formations, including the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), ahead of the next general election.

This decision was reached on Monday, January 12, following a meeting that featured members of the ODM Central Committee held in Kilifi County. During the meeting, the party leaders reviewed the political, organisational, and strategic position of the party.

In a statement issued after the meeting, Oburu Oginga, on behalf of the Central Committee, said it had resolved to pursue pre-election political alliances as part of ODM’s broader strategy to strengthen its national footing.

Effectively, the committee formally mandated the ODM Party Leader to initiate negotiations with the United Democratic Alliance, marking a significant political development given the long-standing rivalry between the two parties.

"The Committee meeting expressed the intention to initiate structured negotiations with different political formations, beginning with United Democratic Alliance. To this end, we have mandated the Party Leader to commence this process. Concurrently, consultations with Party members will proceed, culminating in the National Delegates Convention," a statement from the Committee read.

According to the statement, the talks are intended to be structured and deliberate, focusing on shared interests and the evolving political landscape rather than ad hoc arrangements.

At the same time, ODM said it will carry out internal consultations with its members across the country to ensure that any political realignment reflects the views and aspirations of the party’s grassroots.

These consultations are expected to inform the party’s final position and will eventually culminate in a National Delegates Convention, where key decisions are traditionally ratified.

Questioned about the absence of ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Deputy Party Leader Geoffrey Otsotsi, Oburu responded that both party leaders were absent with permission from the party.

Oburu continued to explain that Otsotsi was in South Africa, while Sifuna had missed his flight from Nairobi to join other members of the ODM's Central Committee in Kilifi.