Oburu Odinga Dismisses Claims of ODM Suspending Coalition Talks With UDA

Oburu Odinga Dismisses Claims of ODM Suspending Coalition Talks With UDA

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Odinga has dismissed reports suggesting that his party has suspended coalition talks with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), clarifying that no formal negotiations between the two political formations have begun.

Speaking in Kisumu on Friday, April 17, 2026, Oburu termed the claims as misleading and premature, stating that while there exists political goodwill between ODM and UDA, discussions have not reached a stage where they could be halted.

“I am in a good relationship with the president, who is the leader of UDA. We cannot stop what has started. Our negotiations with UDA have not started. We have not even formed the negotiating teams,” Oburu said.

His remarks come amid growing speculation that ODM’s Central Committee had resolved to suspend engagement with UDA following reported disagreements over key political issues, including zoning and party dominance in traditional strongholds.

However, Oburu’s clarification now casts doubt on the earlier reports, indicating that the perceived breakdown in talks may have been based on assumptions rather than actual developments within the party structures.

The ODM leader emphasised that any future engagement between the two parties would require a structured approach, beginning with the formation of official negotiating teams and clearly defined agendas.

Political observers note that coalition discussions ahead of the 2027 General Election remain fluid, with parties exploring strategic alliances while also safeguarding their political bases.

On the issue of zoning, which has emerged as a contentious topic, Oburu took issue with what he described as interference by some UDA leaders in ODM strongholds. He argued that such actions could undermine trust between potential coalition partners and complicate future negotiations.

“We do not want to compete with people we are going into partnership with. But President Ruto should discipline some of the officials of his party,” he stated.

The zoning debate has increasingly shaped political discourse in recent weeks, particularly as parties position themselves ahead of the next electoral cycle. Within ODM, a section of leaders has advocated for zoning arrangements that would limit competition in regions considered party strongholds, a proposal that has faced resistance from UDA.

Beyond coalition matters, Oburu also addressed internal party dynamics, particularly speculation surrounding potential presidential candidates within ODM. He dismissed claims that multiple aspirants were positioning themselves for the party’s top ticket.

“I want to make it absolutely clear that our constitution already has a presidential candidate for our party, and that presidential candidate is clearly stated in the constitution of our party, and it is the party leader,” he said.

“I am the presidential candidate for ODM if ODM decides to go alone. So, anybody planning to run for the presidency in ODM, I think that is misplaced. If they want to run for the presidency, they should look for another party,” he added.

His statement is likely to stir further debate within ODM, where discussions around succession and leadership have occasionally surfaced, especially following shifting political alignments in the country.

The clarification also highlights the delicate balance ODM is seeking to maintain as it navigates potential alliances while reinforcing its internal structures and leadership hierarchy.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, both ODM and UDA are expected to face increasing pressure to clarify their positions regarding coalition arrangements, zoning agreements, and leadership strategies ahead of 2027.

For now, Oburu’s remarks signal that while political engagement between the two parties may be on the horizon, formal coalition talks have yet to take shape, leaving room for further negotiations and realignments in the coming months.

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Oburu Odinga Dismisses Claims of ODM Suspending Coalition Talks With UDA