ODM leader Oburu Oginga has revealed that the party is preparing for structured coalition negotiations with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), insisting that the Orange party will not enter a 2027 electoral arrangement without a clear process and defined political framework.
Oburu made the revelations in a video address played to ODM supporters at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi on Saturday, October 31, 2026, where he also defended the party’s decision to participate in President Ruto’s broad-based government.
In an apparent response to growing questions about ODM’s political direction and its relationship with UDA, Oburu maintained that the party was fully aware of its objectives when it agreed to work with the President.
“We are in this broad-based government, and we are not there blindly,” he said.
The Siaya senator further defended the late Raila Odinga’s decision to enter the arrangement, arguing that the move was deliberate and informed by political considerations.
“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 stated.
His remarks come at a time when ODM leaders are expressing competing views over the possibility of a formal electoral alliance with Ruto in the 2027 General Election, with questions emerging over power-sharing, political representation and the terms of a possible agreement.
Oburu sets February deadline for ODM-UDA coalition team
In a significant disclosure, Oburu revealed that ODM and UDA had already established technical teams to work on the framework of their proposed political arrangement.
He said five representatives from each party were working on constitutional and policy issues, with the assignment expected to be concluded before a separate coalition negotiating team is constituted.
According to Oburu, the proposed political team will be jointly appointed by representatives of ODM and President Ruto’s camp.
“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,” he announced.
“This coalition team is going to be appointed by us, by my team, and by President Ruto’s team.”
The proposed team is expected to handle discussions on the formal political agreement, setting the stage for negotiations that could determine the nature of the ODM-UDA relationship during the next election.
Oburu’s disclosure also suggests that the party does not consider its current participation in government sufficient grounds for an automatic commitment to a 2027 electoral alliance.
Why Oburu insists broad-based government is not a coalition
The ODM leader was keen to distinguish the existing broad-based government arrangement from a formal coalition agreement, warning against treating the two as interchangeable.
He argued that the current government arrangement operates differently from an electoral coalition and therefore requires a separate negotiation process.
“A broad-based government is completely different from a coalition government, and it cannot function the same,” he said.
Oburu further dismissed suggestions that ODM could enter a coalition without negotiating the terms of engagement.
“If you think it can function the same, that you just go in there without any talks, that you go there without any negotiations, we tell you that Kenyans, we as a party, we are negotiating,” he added.
His position reinforces calls within ODM for a formal agreement that would establish the party’s role and political interests should Ruto seek another term with its backing.
Power-sharing debate puts ODM leadership under pressure
The proposed ODM-UDA alliance has triggered debate within the Orange party, with different leaders holding contrasting positions on how the relationship with Ruto should be handled.
Some leaders want a written agreement that guarantees ODM a meaningful role in a possible second Ruto administration, arguing that the party should not commit its political support without securing clear concessions.
Others have supported continued engagement with the President while urging members to allow the designated negotiating structures to complete their work.
The debate has also brought electoral zoning, joint nominations and the distribution of government positions into discussions surrounding the proposed partnership.
Oburu’s latest announcement appears intended to assure supporters that ODM is not surrendering its political interests but is instead pursuing an organised process ahead of the elections.
Oburu issues warning to ODM leaders over public disagreements
Beyond the negotiations, Oburu used his address to demand discipline among ODM members, warning against public statements that contradict the party’s official position.
He maintained that individual members should not present personal opinions as the position of the entire party.
“We want discipline in our party. If you want to express your own view, don’t express it against the policy of the party,” he said.
“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.”
The warning comes as ODM continues to navigate internal political differences over its future following Raila Odinga’s death and the direction of its relationship with the ruling party.
Oburu also urged members to concentrate on the immediate electoral contest, cautioning against confusing the 2027 General Election with the 2032 political cycle.
With the coalition negotiating team expected before February 2027, ODM supporters will be watching closely to see whether the proposed discussions produce a formal agreement that addresses the party’s demands and settles the uncertainty surrounding its political partnership with Ruto.
