NAIROBI, Kenya- The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has renewed its demand for a written agreement with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), with party leaders saying a possible 2027 political arrangement must spell out how power would be shared.
Kisii Governor and ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati said the party would not enter a political arrangement without clear terms to protect its interests.
He spoke at the party’s rally at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi on Saturday, October 31, where ODM leaders gathered to honour the legacy of the late Raila Odinga.
“As the ODM party, cooperating with UDA, we must establish the conditions that will enable us to enter into government,” Arati said.
The demand comes amid calls from Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo for ODM supporters to back the President without insisting on a signed pact.
Omollo has argued that political support should be based on Ruto’s record and said the President should not be pressured to commit to pre-election deals.
ODM leaders press for deputy president’s post
At Jacaranda, Mombasa Governor and ODM Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Nassir said the Deputy President’s position should go to ODM in any future deal with UDA.
Supporters at the rally chanted Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho’s name when Nassir asked whether the party had leaders qualified for the role.
ODM leaders have also floated a 50-50 power-sharing formula, which would see the two parties divide government positions equally if they win the 2027 election.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has previously said UDA would hold the presidency while ODM would take the Deputy President’s position.
Arati said ODM would also seek elective seats in Nairobi, including the governor and woman representative positions.
Wanga told rally-goers that the party intended to contest all elective seats in the capital, while urging young people to register as voters.
Oburu says negotiations are ongoing
ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga has maintained that the party’s engagement with UDA should follow its internal structures.
He said the broad-based arrangement was distinct from a formal coalition and that negotiations were continuing.
“A broad-based government is completely different from a coalition government. We are still negotiating,” Oburu said, while urging party members to maintain discipline and follow the leadership’s direction.
He also said full implementation of the 10-point agenda agreed between Ruto and Raila remained central to ODM’s engagement with the government.
The different positions highlight a growing debate within ODM over whether cooperation with Ruto’s administration should continue on the basis of goodwill or be formalised in a written agreement before the 2027 election.
Party leaders said negotiations with UDA were ongoing, with the proposed agreement, power-sharing terms and the Deputy President’s position still to be settled.
The rally ended in chaos.
