NAIROBI, Kenya — The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has warned prospective coalition partners that its parliamentary representation is non-negotiable, even as it signals openness to broader pre-election cooperation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking after Tuesday’s ODM Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting, National Assembly Minority Leader and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed emphasised that any alliance must respect the party’s current number of National Assembly and Senate seats.
“We are telling any party that wants to associate with us that our parliamentary numbers are not negotiable. We can negotiate on other things,” he said.
The PG, which convened senators and MPs from both chambers, reinforced resolutions from previous party meetings, including the Central Management Committee (CMC) session in Kilifi on January 12 and the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Mombasa on February 11.
These resolutions authorised ODM leader Oburu Oginga to lead coalition negotiations.
“The PG also agreed that they will strengthen the party and make it vibrant. They will maintain every parliamentary seat they occupy today, either in the National Assembly or the Senate. We want to increase our numbers in the next election,” Junet added.
ODM is already engaged in broad-based cooperation with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), with formal talks on a 2027 pre-election coalition expected soon.
UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar, however, has ruled out electoral zoning, asserting that aspirants will be free to contest any constituency nationwide.
A joint parliamentary group meeting with UDA is scheduled for next Tuesday in Nairobi to mark the first anniversary of the political cooperation deal signed between President William Ruto and the late Raila Odinga.
The PG plans to review a 10-point agenda, covering competition issues, devolution funding, and compensation for victims of the 2017 post-election violence.
Despite internal divisions, ODM confirmed that its National Delegates Conference (NDC) will proceed on March 27, 2026.
Some MPs allied to Secretary General Edwin Sifuna boycotted Tuesday’s meeting, with only Saboti MP Caleb Amisi in attendance.
The dissident faction opposes the NDC and rejects the coalition pact with UDA.
Junet reiterated that the party remains open to dialogue with other opposition parties, including the Wiper Democratic Movement Kenya, led by Kalonzo Musyoka, with whom ODM has previously forged alliances.
