Siaya Governor James Orengo has strongly opposed plans by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to enter into a pre-election coalition with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), warning that such a move could weaken the party’s national character.
His remarks come shortly after ODM’s Central Management Committee (CMC) met in Kilifi County, where the party resolved to begin structured talks with other political formations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The committee authorised the party leadership to initiate consultations that are expected to begin with nationwide rallies and later be ratified at a National Delegates Conference.
However, Orengo — a founding member of ODM and a long-serving politician — believes the timing and direction of the proposed coalition talks pose a serious risk to the party.
A lesson from Kenya’s political history
Speaking during a television interview late last year, Orengo rooted his opposition in Kenya’s political history.
He argued that colonial and post-independence governments deliberately encouraged the formation of regional and ethnic-based parties to weaken national movements.
He cited early independence politics, where leaders such as Tom Mboya pushed for a national outlook while others, including Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Masinde Muliro, were drawn into region-focused movements. According to Orengo, these divisions were deliberately encouraged to fragment national unity.
He further noted that after Jaramogi broke away from KANU to form the Kenya People’s Union (KPU), political manoeuvres gradually isolated the party into a regional force despite its initial national appeal.
Orengo also referenced the Moi era, recalling how FORD — once a powerful national opposition movement — fractured into regionally aligned parties following sustained pressure from the state, weakening the opposition landscape.
Why ODM was created
Against that historical background, Orengo said Raila Odinga consciously built ODM as a truly national political party, recognising that regional outfits could not address Kenya’s broader challenges.
Today, ODM commands support across most parts of the country — a status Orengo fears could be eroded if the party hastily aligns itself with the ruling establishment.
He warned that ongoing internal wrangles have already silenced some leaders from regions outside ODM’s traditional strongholds, a pattern he says often precedes the collapse of national parties.
“If ODM chooses to work with UDA under the current circumstances, the danger is that it will slowly retreat into a regional outfit, particularly centred in Luo Nyanza,” Orengo cautioned.
Coalition talks should come from strength
Orengo emphasised that ODM remains one of the strongest political parties in the country and should only consider coalitions from a position of power — not urgency or pressure.
He proposed that the party spends the next 10 to 12 months rebuilding its structures, reconnecting with supporters nationwide, and reinforcing its identity before engaging in any coalition negotiations.
According to him, coalition talks should be between strong and independent parties, with ODM clearly recognised as the senior partner should it choose to engage UDA.
Growing divisions within ODM
The debate has exposed deep divisions within ODM. The absence of key figures such as Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Deputy Party Leader Geoffrey Osotsi from the Kilifi meeting further highlighted internal disagreements over the party’s future direction.
Sifuna has publicly echoed Orengo’s concerns, warning against rushing into an alliance with UDA and urging the party leadership to prioritise grassroots consultations and internal unity.
In response, ODM leadership has maintained that no unilateral decisions will be made and that any political realignment will follow broad consultations within the party.
As ODM navigates this critical phase, the party appears caught between strengthening its independence and recalibrating its political strategy — a dilemma that could shape its future ahead of 2027.
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