Oburu Oginga Breaks Silence on Ruto Deal, Reveals Major Plan Behind ODM-UDA 2027 Coalition Talks

ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga has broken his silence on the growing divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement over a possible political coalition with President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking through a video message played during the ODM rally at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi on Saturday, October 31, Oburu insisted that the party would not enter into an electoral agreement with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance without proper negotiations and clearly defined terms.

The Siaya Senator defended ODM’s participation in the broad-based government, maintaining that the decision was deliberate and guided by the party’s political interests.

Oburu dismissed suggestions that ODM had joined Ruto’s administration without understanding what it wanted to achieve.

He maintained that even the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga had made the decision after carefully considering the political implications.

“We are in this broad-based government, and we are not there blindly,” Oburu declared.

The ODM leader also revealed that the party had already established a technical negotiating team comprising five representatives, who would work alongside five representatives from UDA to develop a framework for the proposed partnership.

According to Oburu, the technical team will handle constitutional and policy matters before a separate political negotiating team takes over discussions about the possible 2027 electoral coalition.

He disclosed that the second team would be jointly appointed by his leadership and President Ruto’s side before February 2027.

Oburu further clarified that participating in a broad-based government should not automatically be interpreted as an agreement to form an electoral coalition.

“A broad-based government is completely different from a coalition government,” he explained.

His remarks come amid growing disagreements among ODM leaders, with some demanding a written agreement guaranteeing the party significant representation in a possible second Ruto administration.

Others have cautioned against committing to Ruto’s re-election before establishing the benefits ODM would receive.

Oburu also warned party members against making public statements that contradict the official position of ODM, insisting that discipline would be necessary as the country approaches the 2027 elections.

He urged supporters to respect the party’s policies and avoid confusing the 2027 political contest with the 2032 succession debate.

The coming months are expected to determine whether ODM and UDA eventually establish a formal electoral partnership or maintain their current broad-based government arrangement.

https://peopledaily.digital/inside-politics/oburu-breaks-silence-on-odm-uda-2027-coalition-talks-rift-reveals-plan-for-negotiations-with-ruto?fbclid=IwY2xjawVSyRdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAXNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABH-G_CqvBZJPI86xe3VtlhRsq1X_MY1CqJ6KpeZxIh6AdbNz1ekIwZwbauxZI_aem_JOzZkQI5Se5sPaWvYl2VEg

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