By Team
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Dr Oburu Odinga-led wing, after witnessing a frosty and false start to the countrywide pre-election pact engagement on Wednesday in Kibra with United Democratic Alliance (UDA), now faces another hurdle.
The ODM county council of county chairmen coordinators rejected the ongoing engagement and want the engagements put on hold until the party’s National Delegates Conference is held.
But today, Oburu on his X handle gave new dates for the engagement and wrote “ODM Linda ground. Tunaskia ground. 17th January 2026 Malaba, Busia County and January 18th 2026, Kakamega town, Kakamega County.”
Council of county chairmen demands NDC
The county council chairs demanded the talks and countrywide engagement should stop before convening the National Delegates Conference and before the full implementation of the 10-point agenda.
“We plead with our party leadership that we will not allow any talks to continue before we have NDC. We are not fighting anyone and we respect our party leader.” they said at a press conference.
They said in honor of the departed leader, Raila Amolo Odinga, the full 10-point agenda should be given first priority.
“We call for the full implementation of the 10-point agenda and no further agreements or arrangements be entered into before the 10-point agenda is fully implemented,” they said.
They claimed that the current party leadership has sidelined them in important party activities and engagements.
“We have been sidelined. No single day did Raila hold or undertake any activity without involving the county chairman,” they said.
Recently, the ODM Central Committee mandated Oburu to engage in pre-election negotiations with President William Ruto’s UDA ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Conspicuously absent at the Kilifi meeting were Sifuna and deputy party leader Geoffrey Osotsi.
UDA mandates Ruto
UDA recently agreed to pursue a pre-election coalition arrangement with the ODM party after reviewing its party growth from ongoing grassroots elections, netting 2.4 million members.
UDA’s National Executive Committee, chaired by President William Ruto, consented after ODM initiated the move to start talks.
“We are establishing mechanisms for structured engagement with the ODM Party to deepen political cooperation, build consensus on shared priorities, and provide a clear framework for dialogue, coordination, and partnership,” President Ruto said.
“We also agreed on broader political dynamics, including negotiating a coalition agreement with ODM party ahead of the 2027 elections as we shape the next phase of national politics,” Governor Anne Waiguru posted on her social media.
On Monday, the ODM Central Committee agreed and mandated Dr Oburu to engage in a structured pre-election pact with President Ruto’s UDA party.
But the Kilifi Central Committee meeting was given a wide berth by the Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and deputy party leader Geoffrey Osotsi, showing divisions in the party over the coalition.
Recently, Oburu said the party will soon establish a committee to spearhead coalition negotiations with President Ruto’s UDA party.
“Now as we approach 2027, we are not going to get to government through the back door. We are going to have a negotiated arrangement. It will be headed by me,” he said.
Identity crisis
Dr Oburu is struggling with an identity crisis over party leadership and has faced criticism over his choice from his niece Winnie Odinga among others.
Mama Ida Odinga recently appealed for dialogue to avoid a party split and urged members to preserve the party.
“Edwin Sifuna is going nowhere. He is Baba’s son. Kawuono otho to oriambo nyithindo moko e ot. Unyalo bedo kod guandruok to bed uru piny mondo ulosi. Onge ngat ma iriembo bende onge ngat mawuok,” she said.
The Kibra rally
Confusion and chaos erupted at the main podium as Oburu was heard begging to be allowed to address the crowd while MP Tom Kajwang urged him to speak.
Kajwang: “Daktari speak. Sema jambo kwa dakika moja. Daktari. Mos jo piny.”
Oburu responded: “Koro eka adwa wuoyo… miya uru thuolo mondo alosi.”
Kajwang tried calming the crowd: “Ongea tu daktari.”
Oburu pleaded again: “Wanainchi wa Kibra, hamjumbo… miya uru thuolo mondo alosi.”
Kajwang called one of Oburu’s security aides saying: “Adhu pang uru joma nitie tok daktari go.”
Colorless and disorganized
The rally was a shadow of Raila’s past political rallies in Kibra, which were well-coordinated and secure. The rally left Oburu and party leaders exposed as the public overwhelmed the dais.
Wide berth
The rally was given a wide berth by key ODM leaders including Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, and Siaya Governor James Orengo.
In attendance were ODM National Chairman Governor Gladys Wanga, deputy party leader Abdulswamad Nassir, and Kisii Governor Simba Arati.
The death of Raila has triggered sharp divisions in ODM, with Oburu leading a faction inclined toward a coalition with Ruto, while the Orengo wing insists the party must reorganize before any coalition talks.
