ODM insists it will not settle for less than deputy president seat in 2027
ODM) has declared it will not accept any position lower than that of the Deputy President in any pre-election coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has declared it will not accept any position lower than that of the Deputy President in any pre-election coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during an interview with NTV, Party Leader Oburu Oginga maintained that the party will only negotiate for top positions from a position of strength, and not desperation.
“If we have to go for a lower position, it must not be lower than number two (deputy president) in any formation. That is my take. We should not take less than that,” he said.
Oginga said ODM’s priority is to rebuild and unite its grassroots base to retain influence in national politics.
“I want my people of ODM to strengthen the ODM as a party. If we are going to start talking about the position we will occupy there, we will get nothing,” he said.
“Nobody will respect you or negotiate with you if you are a weak party. Our emphasis is on strengthening ODM so that we can negotiate for the top position in the land.”
He added that only a strong and united ODM can secure meaningful political leverage in any talks with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) or other political formations.
Oginga’s remarks come amid uncertainty over ODM’s future direction following the death of former party leader Raila Odinga.
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Some party members have publicly supported President Ruto’s re-election bid, while others, led by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, maintain that ODM is yet to take a position on 2027.
“Sifuna was within his rights to say the party has not made a position about 2027. That is the current position on the matter,” Oginga said, dismissing talk of removing the secretary general as “ill-timed and divisive.”
The Siaya Senator confirmed that ODM’s involvement in President Ruto’s “broad-based government” is guided by a 10-point memorandum of understanding signed between ODM and UDA on March 8, 2025.
“This participation does not talk about 2027. It is about implementing people-oriented issues. Once those are fully implemented, 2027 will take care of itself,” he said.
Oginga explained that the agreement covers areas such as the full implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, inclusivity in public appointments, protection of devolution, youth empowerment and upholding of constitutional freedoms, including the right to protest and press freedom.
He said a joint implementation committee is already monitoring progress on the 10-point agenda and NADCO resolutions.
Oginga added that ODM remains free to explore future alliances depending on how faithfully the current pact is honoured.
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