ODM dispatch heavyweights to prepare ground for ODM-UDA talks

ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga, with other leaders in Kamukunji grounds, Kibera constituency /DOUGLAS OKIDDY

The ODM has unleashed its regional heavyweights to lay the groundwork for the proposed political pact with President William Ruto, in a move meant to seal off dissent.

The team, made up of high-ranking leaders from its strongholds, has been tasked with explaining to supporters why the deal with Ruto is the most viable option, as part of a strategy to build momentum.

ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga on Wednesday unveiled the strategy dubbed 'Linda Ground', which the broad-based team will use to whip up support and safeguard their regions.

During a rally in Nairobi, Wanga announced the team will be on the ground to guard ODM’s political bases from infiltration by hostile interests.

She added the initiative will also mobilise party’s supporters to participate in deciding the future of the Orange party.

“We want our members walinde ground (to protect the ground),” Wanga said.

The initiative is expected to roll out across key strongholds, with party structures activated down to the grassroots to reinforce loyalty and discipline.

“At the Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi, under the leadership of party leader Oburu Oginga, we conducted a productive ODM public consultative forum as we officially launched Operation Linda Ground—an assertive initiative for mobilising our grassroots membership to actively participate in shaping the future direction of our party,” Wanga added.

The remarks are widely seen as a signal that ODM is determined to manage internal resistance ahead of a possible deal with the ruling UDA.

Under the plan, ODM’s top leaders are set to fan out across the country in a coordinated charm offensive aimed at selling the party’s proposed coalition talks with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance to its grassroots base.

Party insiders say senior figures have been assigned to retreat to their home regions over the coming weeks to hold consultative meetings with delegates, opinion leaders and ward officials, in a bid to explain the logic behind the talks.

Once the regional engagements are concluded, Oburu is expected to take over with a series of high-octane rallies in major towns, in what officials describe as a “last appeal” to the rank and file before the party formally signs a deal with Ruto.

In Western Kenya and the Coast, influential ODM leaders have already closed ranks behind the new initiative.

Coast politicians allied to ODM said the region “cannot afford isolation,” while their Western counterparts framed the talks as a pragmatic step to secure state support and influence in the next election cycle.

Meetings held in both regions in recent days ended with declarations of support for cooperation with Ruto, with leaders arguing that engagement with government offers the best route to development and political relevance.

Leading the Western team were Governors Paul Otuoma (Busia), Wilberforce Ottichilo (Vihiga), Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega) and Kenneth Lusaka (Bungoma).

The county chiefs endorsed the party’s decision to initiate negotiations with UDA for a potential coalition ahead of the 2027 general election.

“We support the decision of the committee. We want to consolidate our people so that in 2027, we can have all leaders in elective positions—from Member of County Assemblies (MCAs) to the President—elected on the ODM-UDA coalition,” Barasa stated.

“As a region, we will remain together politically and economically. My duty is to work with all from this region and bring all to give President William Ruto a second term,” Lusaka added.

The endorsement comes following ODM’s central executive committee resolution to initiate structured talks with Ruto’s UDA over a possible 2027 partnership.

“The committee meeting expressed the intention to initiate structured negotiations with different political formations, beginning with the United Democratic Alliance,” Oburu announced after the meeting.

On their part, Coast leaders who met under the leadership of Mining CS Hassan Joho not only backed the talks but also demanded that the former governor be included in the structural engagements.

“The parties that are going to be present during the UDA-ODM talks—Hassan Joho must be present at that table and that is not negotiable,” Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga stated.

In Nairobi, the party’s top brass have adopted a harder line. The ODM brigade led by MPs George Aladwa (Makadara) and TJ Kajwang’ (Ruaraka) vowed to activate their grassroots presence and make it uncomfortable for any anti-dialogue group in the city.

They accused the dissenting faction of undermining party unity and defying decisions already taken by the party’s top organs.

“We want to confirm that the decision of the central committee is the best decision we have been waiting for. Anybody who will come here on Sunday we will not allow,” Kajwang’ said referring to an alleged planned rally by anti-Ruto forces in Nairobi.

Aladwa added: “As the leadership of Nairobi, we do not approve any meeting here on Sunday.”

The Star has established that the ODM chairperson will be in charge of Nyanza counties while deputy party leader Simba Arati.

Northeastern will be coordinated by Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi while Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir will join forces with Joho at the Coast.

The pre-election pact, the Star has established, could be ready by April, to allow the two teams ample time for re-election campaigns.

Other than getting a share of government appointments, ODM is pushing for Ruto's running mate position to probably go to the Western region.

ODM has to, however, exit the current Azimio la Umoja coalition with parties such as Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper and Eugene Wamalwa-led DAP-K, which they entered into prior to the 2022 elections.

The Constitution of Kenya and the Political Parties Act allow parties to form pre-election or post-election coalitions—binding agreements that have to be deposited with the Registrar of Political Parties.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

The coordinated moves underscore ODM’s intent to manage dissent and align its supporters behind a new political path. As talks with UDA gather pace, ODM’s leadership appears determined to present a united front, signalling that those uncomfortable with the Ruto deal may soon find themselves on the margins.