Butere Member of Parliament (MP) Tindi Mwale has stated that it is too early to predict whether the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will maintain its alliance with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) as the country approaches the 2027 general elections. He cited Kenya’s unpredictable political landscape as a key reason for his caution.

Speaking during an interview on a local TV station on April 14, 2025, Mwale dismissed assumptions that ODM will go into the 2027 polls united with UDA. He emphasized that current political formations are far from permanent.

“You can’t call with certainty how the coalitions of individual political parties pan out with two years to the elections. During the elections in 2002, it took only three months for the NARC coalition to be formed,” he stated.

“There is too much politics to be done. In due time you’ll see the formation and alignments starting to take shape and when it happens only God knows who will stand where at the end.”

Mwale cited past political shifts to support his argument, pointing to former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka’s last-minute move in the 2022 general election.

“Kalonzo in the last election made last minute turn to Azimio having stated his intention to go for the top seat. He later had a change of mind and made his return albeit late on,” he explained.

He reiterated that such shifts are common in Kenyan politics and do not necessarily signify long-term political commitments. Mwale maintained that ODM will decide its direction at the appropriate time.

“The association with UDA of the ten points is meant to enhance the better services to citizens, not for the 2027 politics. Our party leader has reiterated that we will talk politics when 2027 draws near. For now, we are focused on how Kenya will move forward,” he stated.

Similar Remarks from ODM Leaders

Mwale’s sentiments align with those recently expressed by other ODM leaders regarding the party’s ties with the Kenya Kwanza coalition.

On April 5, 2025, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed emphasized that the party supports the current broad-based governance model but will decide on its political direction closer to the 2027 elections.

Mining and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho echoed this position, underlining that ODM remains a significant force and will be part of the 2027 polls in some capacity.

“ODM is a party and it is entitled to practising any democratic arrangement. The party is not going to die because we are the biggest stand alone party in the country. It has to participate in one way or another in the elections,” Joho said in an interview on April 10, 2025.