On January 12, 2025, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Central Management Committee (CMC) convened in Vipingo, Kilifi, to discuss several significant matters.
A key resolution from this meeting directed party leader Oburu Odinga to expedite the establishment of a formal pre-election coalition with other political entities, including the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The resolution outlines that the coalition process will commence with nationwide consultative rallies, starting in Kibera, and will culminate in a National Delegates Conference (NDC). This conference will formally endorse the party leader’s position, in accordance with the ODM constitution, which grants the leader authority over coalition agreements and electoral strategies.
Siaya Governor James Orengo, a seasoned politician and founding member of ODM, publicly opposed the idea of a pre-election coalition with President William Ruto’s UDA. During a media interview on December 29, 2025, Orengo articulated the historical context of his opposition.
He expressed concerns rooted in Kenya’s history, noting that even at independence, colonial authorities sought to foster regional political parties. He highlighted Tom Mboya’s efforts for a national agenda through the National People’s Convention in Nairobi, while Jaramogi Oginga Odinga led a movement primarily focused on the Nyanza region, and Masinde Muliro mobilized support in Western Kenya. Orengo argued that colonial strategies aimed to regionalize and ethnicize political movements as Kenya approached independence.
He further observed that after independence, a similar trend emerged when Jaramogi left KANU alongside a significant number of Members of Parliament. In response, Mboya introduced a constitutional amendment requiring MPs who switched parties to resign and seek a new mandate through by-elections. While legal, this amendment had profound political implications, effectively ethnicizing the Kenya People’s Union (KPU), which, despite initial national support, became a regional party due to KANU’s dominance.
Orengo also referenced the Moi era, where President Daniel Arap Moi attempted a similar strategy during the reintroduction of multiparty politics. Initially, FORD emerged as a national movement but eventually fragmented under state pressure and political maneuvering, leading to the rise of various regional parties.
Against this historical backdrop, Orengo contended that Raila Odinga recognized the inadequacy of regional parties in addressing the aspirations of Kenyans, prompting him to build ODM as a truly national party with a presence across the country. However, Orengo cautioned against recent attempts to revert ODM to a regional, or predominantly Luo-centric, party.
He noted that leaders and members from other regions have become increasingly silent amid ongoing internal conflicts within the party. History, he argued, demonstrates that this silence weakens national parties and leads to regionalization.
Orengo warned that if ODM pursues cooperation with Kenya Kwanza or UDA under current circumstances, the party risks shrinking and retreating into Luo Nyanza. Recent statements, he indicated, suggest that ODM is being perceived as a regional party, a characterization he refuted, asserting that ODM remains a national entity.
He emphasized the urgent need for caution to prevent this trend, stating that ODM has a window of 10 to 12 months to rebuild itself as a national party, drawing on Raila Odinga’s political legacy. Only after this rebuilding phase should the party consider coalition discussions with other political formations.
Currently, Orengo observed that the prevailing focus within ODM appears to be immediate cooperation with the UDA government. He expressed concern that if not managed carefully, this move could diminish ODM’s stature. He underscored that coalition negotiations should only occur between robust parties.
Orengo asserted that ODM is the most popular political party in Kenya. Thus, if and when the party engages with UDA, it must do so from a position of strength.
The party currently stands at a crossroads, with two distinct factions emerging. The recent CMC meeting, which resulted in what has been termed the Kilifi Declaration, highlighted the fractures within ODM, despite its resilience through previous political challenges.
The divisions were evident in the absence of several key ODM figures from the CMC meeting. Among those opposing the proposed partnership with UDA are Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Deputy Party Leader Geoffrey Osotsi, who align with Orengo’s perspective.
Orengo has previously accused senior ODM leaders of attempting to compromise the party’s integrity by aligning with President William Ruto. He has maintained that ODM is capable of fielding its own presidential candidate and cautioned that a coalition with UDA could undermine the party’s identity and core values.
Sifuna echoed these concerns, publicly warning Oburu Odinga against pursuing a coalition with UDA. He urged the party leadership to focus on internal consultations and safeguard ODM’s independence.
In response, Oburu Odinga dismissed allegations of making unilateral decisions, asserting his commitment to consultative leadership that includes engagement with party members before making major decisions. He also cautioned ODM officials against presenting conflicting messages once the party has collectively agreed on a political direction, as such contradictions exacerbate internal divisions.
