Fresh political intrigue is brewing within the ODM party after Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga announced the official start of coalition talks with President William Ruto’s UDA party.
Following a meeting of the ODM Central Committee, Oburu revealed that negotiations with UDA will proceed alongside a series of nationwide public consultation forums, a strategy reminiscent of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s political playbook.
Kamukunji Rally to Kick Off Consultations
To launch the consultations, Oburu has called for a major rally at Kamukunji Grounds on Wednesday, where ODM supporters will be engaged on the controversial proposal to work with UDA ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The move mirrors Raila Odinga’s approach when he previously entered talks with President Ruto.
Before signing a broad-based cooperation agreement, Raila traversed the country holding rallies he described as “consultative meetings,” saying they were meant to collect public views.
A Familiar Political Script
Analysts note that Oburu appears to be following the exact political script used by Raila — from announcing talks, to rally-based consultations, and even choosing historically symbolic venues.
Kamukunji Grounds is one of Raila’s most iconic rally venues, often used to unveil major political decisions. It is famously associated with Saba Saba Day gatherings, where key opposition positions were shaped over the years.
Are the Meetings Truly Consultative?
Despite the public outreach narrative, questions remain over the true intention of the rallies.
Critics are asking whether the forums will genuinely collect supporters’ opinions — or simply serve as platforms to sell decisions already reached behind closed doors.
As ODM navigates this delicate phase, the Kamukunji rally is expected to set the tone for how party supporters respond to the possibility of a future ODM–UDA alliance.
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