Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has said the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) should secure more than half of government positions if it enters into a political agreement with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the next General Election.
Speaking during an interview with NTV, Kaluma argued that ODM would be justified in demanding a larger share of government slots if the allocation is based on the party’s national support base and political strength.
“If we were to go with the current demographics, we should actually have more than 15 Cabinet slots,” Kaluma said.
Kenya’s Constitution allows for a maximum of 22 Cabinet Secretaries. Kaluma’s proposal would therefore mean that UDA and its coalition partners under the Kenya Kwanza Alliance would share the remaining positions if such a power-sharing formula were adopted.
He insisted that ODM would not oppose a negotiated arrangement provided it reflects the country’s true political and demographic realities.
“We have no problem with that if it is based on true national demographics,” Kaluma stated. “I would be very happy with 50 positions.”
Kaluma made the remarks as UDA and ODM reportedly prepare to enter pre-election negotiations as the country’s political landscape begins to take shape ahead of the next General Election.
The talks are expected to explore possible areas of cooperation, coalition arrangements and strategies that could redefine alliances in the coming political cycle.
According to the legislator, negotiations between political parties usually follow a structured process in which each party first fronts its own presidential candidate before coalition talks determine a joint flag bearer.
“When parties are negotiating a pre-election deal, each outfit first nominates their own presidential candidates,” he explained.
“Then you go for negotiations and settle on the candidate for the coalition.”
Kaluma said ODM would still follow its internal constitutional procedures in presenting a presidential candidate before engaging in coalition negotiations.
“That is why I am insisting that we will present a presidential candidate and our constitution is clear on who is our presidential candidate even before nomination,” he said.
He added that as things stand, the party has a candidate who would represent ODM in the initial stages of coalition discussions.
“Dr Oburu Oginga, our party leader, is our presidential candidate as we speak,” Kaluma said.
However, he noted that the process of negotiations could eventually lead to a compromise candidate agreed upon by coalition partners.
“So when you go to negotiation and agree on a candidate, even if he is not from ODM, then he becomes our presidential candidate,” he added.
The anticipated negotiations come at a time when political leaders are repositioning themselves amid shifting alliances and emerging political interests ahead of the 2027 elections.
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