ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga speaking during the Broad-Based Government Leaders Media Briefing in Naivasha on August 10, 2026 /PCSODM party leader Oburu Oginga has dismissed concerns that the party could be swallowed by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) following the formalisation of a political partnership between ODM and Kenya Kwanza ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Oburu said ODM joined the broad-based government from a position of strength and would retain its identity and political influence within the emerging coalition.
He said ODM had a strong grassroots presence extending to polling stations and joined the government to promote political stability and ensure changes in government are achieved through elections.
“Our party, ODM, is not weak. We came to this coalition not because we are unable to fill the presidential candidate, not because we are not prepared at the grassroots. We are the largest party. We want our country, the government of Kenya, to be changed through a democratic process, through the ballot box,” he said.
Oburu said ODM’s entry into the broad-based government was a deliberate decision to stabilise the country.
He recalled that the arrangement began when his late brother, former ODM leader Raila Odinga, was still leading the party.
“It is very, very unfortunate that we lost him at a time when we had just started this broad-based arrangement, where we came in consciously; we were not forced by anybody to stabilise the government,” he said.
Oburu said ODM had influenced government policies since joining the broad-based administration, citing housing and universal healthcare among areas where the two sides had common priorities.
He also said President William Ruto had welcomed ODM because of the value it brings to the administration.
“President Ruto has also welcomed ODM with two hands, because he knows that ODM not only brings numbers, but it brings quality. With those who thought that ODM was going to be swallowed, I tell them, no. ODM is not going to be swallowed,” he said.
He said the emerging political arrangement would be guided by a framework that combines the policies of ODM and Kenya Kwanza.
“Those policies must be clear, that it is a combination of the policies of ODM and the policies of Kenya Kwanza. That must be clear,” he said.
Oburu also expressed confidence that the coalition would win the 2027 General Election by a landslide.
He said the partnership was also anchored on inclusivity, noting that ODM had consistently campaigned against injustice.
“The progress so far made is enough to tell our opponents that we are damn serious about this. We are not joking. We are going to win the next election by a landslide. ODM stands against injustice. ODM stands for inclusivity. And President Ruto is also fighting for inclusivity,” Oburu said.
He added that the partnership would ensure that no part of the country is discriminated against.
“There will be no shareholding,” he said.
The remarks came after ODM and Kenya Kwanza formally agreed to establish a coalition to contest the August 2027 General Election.
The decision was announced by President William Ruto after a two-day ODM-Kenya Kwanza/UDA retreat in Naivasha on Monday.
Ruto said the agreement formalises the political partnership between the two formations and provides a framework for consolidating the progress made by the broad-based government.
“This formalises the political partnership we have built and gives it a clear mandate to consolidate the progress we have made, carry our reforms to completion and present to the people of Kenya a common programme for the next phase of our national transformation,” Ruto said.
The two sides agreed to establish two joint committees, one to develop a common manifesto and another to prepare the coalition framework agreement.
The Joint Manifesto Committee will comprise five members from each side.
ODM has nominated Isaac Wanuge, Maryam Abdullahi Mbaruk, Leonida Kerubo Omosa, Carrey Oregonian and Prof Bernard Muok, with the ODM Executive Director serving as an ex-officio member.
Kenya Kwanza has nominated Emmanuel Nzai, Dr Daniel Mwai, Bramwel Simiyu, Mohammed Hassan and Dr Cecilia Ng’etich, with the UDA Executive Director serving as an ex-officio member.
Ruto said the committee would identify common priorities, harmonise areas requiring consensus and develop policies addressing the economic, social and governance needs of Kenyans.
“Their task is not simply to produce a political document,” he said.
The manifesto will also draw from the two formations’ shared priorities and views emerging from the National Conversation on Kenya Beyond Vision 2030 and the National Development Charter.
UDA and ODM will each nominate five members to a second committee tasked with preparing the coalition framework agreement.
The team will recommend the principles and governance structures guiding the partnership and propose leadership arrangements for the coalition.
“These are not merely internal processes between political parties. They are part of the work of building the partnership, developing the programme and preparing the leadership proposition upon which we shall seek your mandate in August 2027,” Ruto said.
The President directed the teams to begin work immediately, saying the coalition’s 2027 agenda must be matched by a programme focused on Kenya’s future.
