In a move that signals the final burial of the handshake era and the birth of a new political realignment, ODM Chairman and Siaya Senator-elect Dr. Oburu Odinga has issued a blunt ultimatum to dissenting voices within the party: accept the new political trajectory with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), or walk away freely.
Speaking to party delegates in Bondo over the weekend, the elder Odinga brother confirmed that the Orange Democratic Movement is officially entering into negotiations with President William Ruto’s UDA party ahead of the 2027 General Elections. The revelation has sent shockwaves through the Luo Nyanza political bastion, where loyalty to the Odinga family has been considered sacrosanct for decades.
“ODM is not a prison. It is a political party with a vision,” Oburu stated firmly. “We are entering into a negotiation with our brothers in UDA. This is the decision that has been made at the highest level. If there are members who feel they cannot walk this path with us, the door is wide open. They are free to leave and pursue their own political interests elsewhere.”
The New Political Calculus
Oburu’s declaration confirms what political analysts have been whispering for months: that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has made a strategic decision to work with President Ruto following the collapse of the Azimio coalition’s street protest movement. The negotiations with UDA are believed to be centered on a power-sharing arrangement that would give ODM significant influence in government in exchange for political stability and support for Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid.
This represents a tectonic shift from the 2022 elections when Raila and Ruto were bitter rivals, with the former alleging that the latter stole the presidency through electoral malpractice. The “broad-based government” that Ruto has long preached about finally appears to be taking shape, with ODM as the key opposition partner crossing the floor.
Rebels in the Ranks
However, not everyone in the Luo Nyanza political ecosystem is happy with this arrangement. Several ODM loyalists, particularly among the youth wing and some mid-level cadre, have expressed discomfort at joining hands with a president they have spent the last two years vilifying as an “illegitimate leader” and a “thief.”
Social media in the region has been awash with debates, with some supporters accusing the party leadership of “selling out” the struggle. Others have pointed out that the economic reality of Kenya today requires leaders to be in government to access development resources for their people.
Oburu’s statement appears to be a direct response to these murmurs of discontent. By adopting a “take it or leave it” posture, the party hierarchy is signaling that the decision is final and that dissent will not be tolerated at the top levels of leadership.
What Does ODM Get?
While details of the negotiations remain scanty, sources within the party suggest that ODM is pushing for a structured cooperation that includes:
- Cabinet Positions: A significant number of CS and Principal Secretary slots for ODM loyalists to ensure the region benefits from government appointments.
- Development Agenda: Fast-tracking development projects in Nyanza, including roads, ports, and healthcare facilities.
- Constitutional Implementation: A commitment from UDA to fully implement the Constitution, including the two-thirds gender rule and the unfinished business of devolution.
- 2027 Electoral Pact: A pre-election agreement that could see Raila Odinga support Ruto’s re-election in exchange for a pledge to back an ODM candidate in the future.
The Road Ahead
For the residents of Nyanza, who have historically voted overwhelmingly for ODM and Raila Odinga, this new political dispensation will require significant adjustment. The idea of sharing a political platform with William Ruto—a man once burned in effigy in Kisumu—will be a bitter pill for many to swallow.
Yet, as Oburu made clear, the party is moving forward with or without the doubters. “Politics is about interests and negotiation,” he said. “We are not abandoning our principles. We are repositioning ourselves to serve the people better.”
As ODM and UDA teams prepare to meet for formal talks in the coming weeks, all eyes are on Raila Odinga himself. Will he make a public appearance with President Ruto to seal the deal? And if he does, how will the Nyanza electorate respond?
One thing is certain: the political ground in Kenya is shifting, and Nyanza is at the very epicenter of the earthquake.
