ODM suspends coalition talks with UDA

ODM has suspended coalition talks with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party setting back the latter on the 2027 calculus.

The suspension followed what the party’s Central Management Committee termed as disrespect, citing utterances by party luminaries, especially on the thorny zoning issue.

"We have halted any coalition talks with UDA. We can't engage people who are showing disrespect to us. We agreed to concentrate on strengthening our party; we shall review the coalition talks later,” a source intimated to the Star.

ODM in a statement said it has put its broad-based partner, UDA, on notice over what it terms rising disrespect from sections of the ruling party.

The assertions expose fresh strains in the cooperation framework that has underpinned President William Ruto’s political stability—one he seeks to use as a pedestal for his 2027 re-election bid.

Speaking after a Central Committee meeting in Nairobi chaired by party leader Oburu Oginga, ODM accused senior UDA figures of making “reckless and disparaging” public remarks, warning that the conduct risks eroding trust between the two outfits.

Reading the party’s resolutions, ODM acting secretary general and Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo, in a firm tone, signalled a shift from the cautious language that has characterised the alliance in recent months.

“On our relationship with our broad-based partners, UDA, the Central Committee noted with concern the goings-on and unwarranted public utterances by some senior officials of the UDA aimed at causing anxiety and disquiet among our members,” Omanyo said.

“As a party that believes in its principles and ideologies, we demand respect from the UDA party.”

The Nairobi meeting was attended, among others, by National Assembly Minority leader Junet Mohamed and national chairperson Gladys Wanga.

The meeting comes amid growing unease within ODM over what insiders describe as a pattern of political undercutting by elements within UDA.

In recent weeks, ODM has sharpened its tone, issuing demands that have rattled its cooperation framework with UDA.

ODM has accused its broad-based partner of, among other things, undermining it and has gone as far as threatening a walkout if its concerns are not addressed.

President Ruto has, however, responded to ODM’s concerns, saying his side is committed to the pact even as he put forces creating a wedge between the two sides on notice.

“The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will unite and work together. The underhand forces driving division between our two parties will not succeed. Our country is better when UDA and ODM are together,” Ruto said in Kisii on Tuesday.

In seeking to calm tensions, the President maintains his side remains committed to a “serious and structured” partnership.

However, the public sparring suggests underlying frictions that could shape the political landscape heading into the next general election.

Observers say the dispute reflects a deeper contest for political space, with ODM keen to preserve its identity and support base even as it cooperates with the ruling party. Some argue that the party is retracing what was earlier seen as a misstep in conceding too much to Ruto prematurely.

On Thursday, ODM maintained that the partnership must be anchored in mutual respect, consultation and recognition of each party’s political strength, cautioning that continued attacks from UDA quarters risk undermining trust.

“We have no choice but to make our identity bigger, which remains in the hearts of the majority of Kenyans,” Omanyo added.

“In this spirit, we urge our party members in areas where grassroots elections have not been concluded to exhaust the relevant internal dispute resolution mechanisms to reach an agreeable conclusion that will see the exercise completed, so that we can all get on the journey of building our party as we head into the election year.”

The two sides are expected to initiate pre-election negotiations, with tensions appearing to delay the formation of a committee to shepherd the process.

At the same time, ODM announced plans to embark on a series of countrywide tours aimed at revitalising its grassroots support and reasserting its political presence ahead of the next general election.

The tours, according to the party, will focus on engaging youthful supporters, strengthening party structures and addressing emerging issues.

According to Omanyo, the party activation process will start in Nairobi next Monday and culminate in a joint National Executive Committee (NEC) and Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting on May 1.

“Countrywide activation activities will start here in Nairobi on April 20 with a youth conference. On April 26, we will be in Mombasa for a similar exercise,” Omanyo said.

“From May 1 to May 3, we will have a joint NEC and Parliamentary Group retreat.”

The renewed push signals ODM’s intention to consolidate its base even as tensions simmer within the broad-based arrangement with UDA, raising fresh questions about the stability of the alliance moving forward.

The Orange party also promised its members free and fair nominations during the primaries.

“We shall conduct a free and fair nominations exercise, and there will be no sacred cows,” Omanyo said.

The party, which has previously faced accusations of bungled nominations and favouritism, assured supporters that it will guarantee transparency and a level playing field for all aspirants.

“We want to assure our members and supporters that, in the build-up to the general election, we shall conduct free and fair nominations and there will be no sacred cows for any position sought,” Omanyo added.

“The National Secretariat shall soon open a portal for members to apply for all elective positions.”

The move is seen as aimed at restoring confidence among members and strengthening internal democracy ahead of upcoming elections.

On the rising cost of fuel, ODM, while acknowledging the government’s intervention, called for more measures to cushion Kenyans.

“Kenyans are concerned about the increase in fuel prices. We know this is a global problem. While noting the government’s efforts to mitigate the situation, we continue to push it to do more to cushion Kenyans from the effects of this crisis,” the party said in a statement.

The Orange party also expressed satisfaction with the administration’s move to implement the 10-point agenda.

It cited the allocation for the compensation of victims of police brutality as a sign of commitment to realising the agreement.

“As part of the agreement signed between the ODM party and the UDA party, which formed the basis of the 10-point agenda and the Nadco report, we have noted progress with the allocation of Sh2 billion in the supplementary budget for the compensation of victims of police brutality and protests,” the party said.

“We therefore urge the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights to expedite this exercise and ensure all affected families are compensated.”