Abdulswamad: ODM will consult members before any 2027 pact
By Kenneth Mwenda, May 2, 2026Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir has said the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will not enter into any political deal ahead of the 2027 General Election without first consulting its members.
In a statement shared on Saturday, May 2, 2026, Abdulswamad said the party’s next political steps must reflect the wishes of its supporters and delegates.
“As the Orange Democratic Movement, we affirm that any political direction we take will be firmly anchored in the will of our people,” he wrote.
He added that ODM leaders would seek approval from party delegates before signing any arrangement with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) or any other political partner.
“We will seek the concurrence of our delegates before sealing any political arrangement with UDA or any other partner,” he said.
“The voice of our people will be heard, and it will be reflected in any agreement we enter into ahead of 2027.”
His remarks come at a time when debate continues over the future relationship between ODM and President William Ruto’s UDA party.
In recent weeks, several ODM leaders have spoken publicly about possible cooperation with UDA, while others have urged caution and internal unity first.
ODM chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has said several times that the party would negotiate with UDA as an equal partner if talks begin.
She said ODM would push for a 50/50 arrangement, where one party fields the presidential candidate and the other names the deputy president.
Ruth urges ODM unity
At the same time, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has called for unity within ODM, warning that internal divisions could weaken the party before future elections.
Speaking on Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Ridore village, Seme Sub-county, in Kisumu County, during the burial of Mzee Nyikal Okaka, the father of Seme Member of Parliament (MP) James Nyikal, Ruth dismissed the emerging “Wantam” and “Tutam” camps within ODM, instead positioning herself firmly in what she described as the ideological path of her late brother Raila Odinga.
“We have been told not to say wantam or tutam, but I want to make it clear that for me, I am not in either wantam or tutam. I am in what we call Tam Raila Amollo Odinga,” she said.
Ruth urged party members and leaders to rise above factional politics and work towards rebuilding a united ODM, emphasising the need to preserve Raila Odinga’s political legacy.