By Anderson Ojwang
After weeks of lamentations, protestations, gnashing of teeth and threats, the Linda Ground faction of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) was for the first time smiling after meeting President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi.
The Linda Ground leadership, which was acting like a jilted, scorned, frustrated and desperate lover, finally laughed after the reassurance that all was well during a consultative meeting of the ODM and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) joint central management committee.
Recently, the “Tunataka Pawa” brigade morphed into “Tunataka Respect,” then to “Tunalinda Chama,” and finally to a broad smile.
The ODM and UDA joint consultative meeting was co-chaired by President William Ruto and Dr Oburu Oginga, the ODM party leader, and brought together the UDA Steering Committee and the ODM Central Management Committee.
The joint press statement said the meeting focused on strengthening collaboration and exploring areas of mutual interest between the two parties. In a key resolution, the meeting mandated the respective party chairpersons to continue structured and regular consultations across party organs.
“These ongoing engagements are intended to build consensus on priority issues and lay the foundation for a formal coalition of equals between UDA and ODM,” read the statement.
The statement added: “In addition, the two party leaders agreed to establish a Broad-Based Management Committee comprising the party leaders, selected Cabinet Ministers, and the Majority and Minority Leaders in Parliament. The committee will be tasked with coordinating and synchronizing the legislative and executive agenda of government to ensure coherence, efficiency, and effective service delivery.”
The statement also stated that both parties reaffirmed their commitment to constructive dialogue, unity of purpose, and a shared vision for national development and inclusive governance.
The meeting was attended by Deputy President and UDA Deputy Party Leader Kithure Kindiki, UDA National Chairperson Cecily Mbarire, Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan, ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga, Secretary General Catherine Omanyo, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, alongside other senior leaders from both parties.
Ironically, Hassan has been viewed by Linda Ground as the main catalyst to the lamentations and protestations over his stand on zoning in the 2027 general elections.
Omar said UDA’s strategy is anchored on inclusivity and open political competition, rejecting any attempts to limit where candidates can contest.
“Anybody who wants to vie against UDA in our strongholds is welcome, and we won’t stop anyone. Similarly, for us, we don’t want anybody to tell us that we cannot file candidates in their strongholds.”
For Omar, he is advocating for friendly competition during the 2027 general elections in their strongholds, while Linda Ground will not hear any of that and have even threatened to walk out of the pre-election coalition arrangement.
Recently, ODM’s Central Management Committee meeting demanded respect from their partner UDA in a statement.
“On our relationship with our broad-based partners, the UDA party, the CMC noted with concern the goings-on and the unwarranted public utterances by some senior officials aimed at causing anxiety and disquiet among our members. As a party that believes in its principles, ideology and the foundation on which it was founded, we demand respect from the UDA party,” read the statement in parts.
Interestingly in attendance was Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki, whose seat ODM has been eyeing in the pre-election coalition arrangement.
Dr Oburu has declared the party would not accept any position lower than that of the Deputy President in any pre-election coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Oburu has maintained that the party will only negotiate for top positions from a position of strength, and not desperation.
“If we have to go for a lower position, it must not be lower than number two (deputy president) in any formation. That is my take. We should not take less than that,” he said.
Kindiki has in the recent past adopted a reconciliatory tone within the Mt Kenya political matrix.
“I don’t have any battle with my fellow leaders. I have no problems with my brothers, who are leaders. I am an elder from this region. I am a leader. There is today and tomorrow. After leading, we will remain here as one community. Is it not true? Because of that, I have no problem with any leader, even those who abuse me,” he said.
Kindiki said he has unconditionally forgiven those from his region who have been abusing him, and the unity of the community was paramount.
“I have forgiven them. I have unconditionally forgiven them. Because I do not want to be at war with my brothers. I am a pure Meru,” he said.
He said as an elder and member of the Njuri Ncheke, it was incumbent upon him to foster peace and unity for the benefit of the community.
“As an elder of Njuri Ncheke, I know we must create peace and unity because after politics, we will remain as a community,” he said.
But earlier he had reassured and moved to set the record straight in Mt Kenya, stating that he was Deputy President of Kenya and that the people should not panic.
Kindiki also said he has his eyes set on the presidency in the future and that he was second in command in the country.
“I have heard that there are some people who have caused panic among you here. I want to ask you, you know I am the second in command in the government. I want to tell you to relax. I am the Deputy President of Kenya.”
Kindiki said the post of Deputy President was going nowhere and that he would be the running mate of President William Ruto in the 2027 general elections.
“And there is nowhere the seat is going to. From Deputy President, there is no turning back but moving ahead. Those whom you hear speak, do not panic; we are the architects of politics. If you look at me, do you think I can be intimidated by people?” he said.
Recently, ODM Director of Elections Junet Mohammed warned their partners in the broad-based alliance against infiltration of their strongholds and threatened to walk out.
“I want to tell our UDA partners that we want power. If we can’t get it here, we will look elsewhere,” he said.
Junet claimed that state machinery was being used to pressure ODM legislators – particularly from the Coast and Western regions – to defect to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Wanga has come out strongly to protect ODM from infiltration, saying they were ready to walk out of any negotiations.
“Ka ngato omulo chama wa. Kata in ema omiyo wa mo moleny (If someone tries to destroy our party, even if he is the one who gives us ghee). Waweyo ne mo no (We will leave that ghee),” she said.
Wanga said it was time to protect the party from intrusion and to prevent the party from losing its parliamentary strength in the next election.
“Nyaka warit chama (We must protect the party). Ok inyal bedo e mesa ka in gimps 20 onge ngame dbi winji (You cannot go to the negotiation when you only have 20 MPs because you will have no bargaining power),” she said.
