Alai differs with Oburu on ODM’s DP position demand in 2027
By Joel Masibo, November 3, 2025Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai has differed with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) acting party leader Oburu Odinga, demanding a deputy president slot in the 2027 government.
Speaking in a local TV interview on Sunday night, November 2, 2025, Oburu Odinga hinted that ODM will only support the ruling party, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and President William Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid if the former Raila Odinga-led political outfit is assured of a deputy president position.
ODM unity
The Siaya County Senator also said that ODM is focusing on strengthening its bargaining power before going to the negotiation table regarding the 2027 polls.
“I would like to say this way, I want my people of ODM to strengthen the ODM as a party. If we are going to start talking about the position we will occupy there, we will get nothing,” Oburu said.
“Nobody will respect you or negotiate with you if you are a weak party. Our emphasis is on strengthening our party, ODM, so that we can negotiate for the top position in the land,” he added.
However, Robert Alai has a contrary opinion to Oburu Odinga’s view. Arguing that settling for the DP position in a power-sharing agreement is not enough for the ODM party.
DP position not enough
”Not a wise strategy. You can be given the Deputy President and then denied everything else. What will you do? You make it sound like you are only desperate for the presidency, not leadership. If someone gave you the Deputy Presidency but denied you Cabinet Positions and PS positions, what would you do?” Alai took to his X account on Monday, November 3, 2025.
Recently, Alai has been accusing the ODM party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna of misleading Oburu Odinga as the formation’s acting leader. While drumming up support for the political party’s by-election candidate in Magarini last week, Alai noted that Sifuna was giving ODM opponents a queue to campaign against the party ahead of the November 27 mini-polls.
”Sifuna was giving the enemies of ODM a queue to campaign against the party. These are opponents of ODM in Magarini using the statements of Sifuna to attack ODM candidates in Magarini. This is the DCP Magarini Candidate (Karisa Kenga) using the words of Sifuna to strengthen their campaign words in Magarini.” Alai said.