Why 2025 left ODM clutching at straws with the future not promising much

ODM leaders  lead by their pary leader Oburu Odinga at 20  anniversary Celebrations in Mombasa. [Emmanuel Wanson, Standard]

Internal turmoil and factional wars over the direction to take ahead of the 2027 elections have continued to characterise the operations of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

Once a united front that took on presidents and their regime’s, the political outfit is now staring at implosion thanks to power games, external interference and indecisiveness.

A renewed push by the party’s top brass to sink deeper into coalition with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party -as the elections beckon- has led to sharp divisions within the outfit. Further exposing what has been a tumultuous last quarter for the party, all sparked by the sudden demise of its party leader Raila Odinga.

Prior to his death, Raila shepherded ODM into President Ruto’s fold with a promise of working together until 2027 and a 10-point agenda crafted to that effect. But in his absence, political re-alignments have taken shape and the party’s future is now at stake.

Raila’s demise also sparked a falling out within the rank and file of ODM, birthing two forces - each trying to chart the party’s political future amid the threat of a fast-disintegrating support base.

Allegations that some leaders are plotting to “auction” the party to President Ruto to bolster his 2027 re-election bid have also emerged, further deepening the fault lines within the Senator Oburu Odinga-led party.  

On Sunday, Homabay town MP Peter Kaluma resuscitated debate on the party’s future after he stated that ODM will throw its weight behind President Ruto in the upcoming 2027 general election.

“The ODM party will field a presidential candidate in the 2027 elections. And, the candidate will be President William Ruto,” Kaluma stated.

Kaluma had earlier announced that the party will formally engage President William Ruto to establish a pre-election coalition ahead of the general polls. He declared that the party was ready to commence talks with the Head of State, framing the move as a strategic step toward the next polls.

“The ODM party is to formally engage President William Ruto for a pre-election coalition ahead of 2027. Let the traitors exit, now,” Kaluma stated.

This was after National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed said  that the Orange party would deal with members who had allegedly been sponsored to plan a coup in the party from January next year.

“‎There are some people in ODM who want to disrespect our party leader. We only have one party leader in ODM. If you want to become party leader, go and form your own party,” Junet remarked.

He was speaking during a football tournament at Kadika Primary School in Suna East Sub-County, Migori County on December 27, 2025 where he hosted President William Ruto and other politicians.

Kaluma and Junet’s sentiments were seemingly directed at ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, who had days earlier alleged that some party members had secretly met Ruto to negotiate ODM’s support in exchange for positions in the next government.

“As a party, we have not sent anyone to negotiate on our behalf for positions in any government,” Sifuna said.

“Some people visited Jirongo’s home on Sunday and think we do not know they later met President Ruto  in Kilgoris. Now they come to us seeking fresh negotiations, claiming they want appointments from Ruto.”

Sifuna cautioned Oburu against agents within the party trying to corner him into hurried decisions void of all stakeholders input.

“My advice is simple: consult widely. Do not allow yourself to be boxed into decisions driven by people who want to use you to advance their own interests. Travel the country and listen to the people,” he said.

Homabay Senator Moses Kajwang had also warned of "cartels" seeking weaken the party and reduce it to a regional outfit.

“ODM is a national party and must never be reduced to a faction or regional entity; we must resist a few cartels determined to destroy the party. We will protect and strengthen ODM, and we will only follow the direction of Oburu Odinga,” Kajwang said.

And yesterday, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir called on ODM to consider entering into a pre-election coalition with UDA, noting that leadership requires “making hard, pragmatic choices informed by a clear reading of reality.”

In a statement, the ODM Deputy Party leader noted that his calls for a pre-election pact with UDA are based on a sober evaluation of the options available and best ways to protect ODM’s interests.

"I am calling on my colleagues within the ODM party to consider formalization of a pre-election coalition with the United Democratic Alliance in good faith ahead of the 2027 elections. This position is informed by a sober assessment of the political terrain, the balance of forces, and the pathways available to protect our interests and advance our agenda,” he stated.

His remarks came shortly after those by President Ruto in which he called on ODM leaders to put their house in order, further hinting at an alliance between UDA and ODM.

ODM party leader Oburu has, however, maintained that ODM is yet to decide on engagement with UDA before 2027. He promised to give direction on how the party will engage President Ruto’s UDA.

Speaking in Siaya County, Oburu emphasized that the party had not signed any coalition agreement and is currently focused on strengthening its membership before engaging in any form of negotiations. He also rallied support for the broad-based arrangement.

“The broad-based arrangement in which we are before it ends in 2027, we are going to negotiate an arrangement where we are now part and parcel of the government. As of now, we are in a broad-based arrangement which is not yet a coalition in government, we are not in a coalition in UDA,” said Oburu.