Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Oginga has announced that the party will, before the end of 2026, make a formal announcement on whether it will work fully with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) or field a single presidential candidate in the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, ahead of New Year celebrations, Oburu said the party had not fully endorsed a working partnership with President William Ruto and is still weighing a number of options before any deal can be finalised.
According to Oburu, should the party decide to go it alone in the next elections, he automatically stands as the party’s flag bearer, as provided for in the ODM constitution.
“Of course, if we are going it alone, I want to make it absolutely clear that our constitution already has a presidential candidate. That presidential candidate is none other than the party leader. It is the party leader speaking, and I am the party leader. I am the presidential leader for ODM if ODM decides to go it alone,” Oburu stated.
He added that all arrangements must be clarified before 2027, giving a clear timeline for the party’s strategy.
“Things must be worked out before 2027. Going into the new year, before the end of the new year, we shall have decided and made clear all the necessary arrangements. Before the end of the year, our party shall know whether we are going it alone or we are going to go into a coalition with other parties,” Oburu announced.
The Siaya Senator cautioned ODM members eyeing the party’s presidential nomination, noting that the party constitution accords him a clear automatic edge in the race.
“If they want to be the presidential flag bearer post, then they should look for another party because this one already has a candidate,” he said.
Amid concerns that the party could be divided into factions similar to what was witnessed in the then Jubilee Party during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, Oburu dismissed such claims, saying the party is fully intact and currently re-strategising towards 2027.
However, he noted that any working arrangement with UDA will depend on several factors, including the honouring of the 10-point working agenda and the memorandum of understanding signed between ODM and UDA in February last year.
The veteran politician also sought to dismiss claims that the party has been sold to unnamed individuals, saying those making such statements were “daydreaming” and that the party remains firmly under its original ownership.
“This party is too big to be sold. I do not know anybody in the country who can buy the party. Those making such statements, I want to tell you that they are daydreaming, as that is not possible. This party is not on sale, nor is it about to be sold,” he asserted.
His comments come amid continued claims from some party factions, including Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, who maintains that ODM appears divided and questioned Oburu’s position as party leader, arguing that he was not endorsed by a special National Delegates Convention.
