Caleb Amisi explains why he will not use ODM ticket in 2027 polls
By Aloys Michael, May 15, 2026Saboti Member of Parliament (MP) Caleb Amisi has declared that he will not seek re-election on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket in the 2027 General Election, scoffing at the party’s growing ties with President William Ruto and accusing the ruling establishment of controlling ODM affairs from State House.
Speaking during an interview on Alex Mwakideu TV on Friday, May 15, 2026, the outspoken legislator said he could not associate himself with a political outfit that, in his view, had abandoned its opposition role by working closely with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“As long as they are dealing with William Ruto, I will not be on the ballot unless they change their course. By the first of October of this year, there will be a hurricane,” Amisi said during the interview.
The MP, who has increasingly positioned himself as a Linda Mwananchi figure within opposition politics, claimed ODM had long ceased to operate independently and was now heavily influenced by State House.
“ODM was sold a long time ago. Nothing new that they are going to sell because Ruto is the one sponsoring the activities of ODM right from the 20th anniversary in Mombasa, meeting of ODM PG, even the most recent one, where they were trying to resolve and made a sub-committee led by Gladys Wanga and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, they did it in State House. That is a party that is being controlled from the State House,” he stated.
Amisi’s remarks come amid mounting tensions within ODM over its ongoing political engagements with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), as both parties explore a possible working arrangement ahead of the 2027 elections.
His comments also came just days after James Orengo publicly criticised a high-level consultative meeting between ODM and UDA, terming the discussions politically unequal and damaging to ODM’s standing as an opposition party.
In an interview with K24 TV on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, Orengo argued that the talks portrayed ODM as subordinate to the ruling party rather than an equal negotiating partner.
“The meeting, I think it was disastrous. It meant that the equality of arms, the parity between the two parties, was no longer there. It was like the president was presiding over the proceedings of a party organ,” Orengo said.
ODM in shambles?
The controversial meeting held on April 23, 2026, brought together President Ruto, ODM leader Oburu Oginga, senior party officials and top government figures. Although the gathering was officially described as an effort to strengthen cooperation between ODM and UDA, it exposed deep disagreements over political zoning and grassroots mobilisation.
ODM leaders are said to have raised concerns over UDA’s aggressive expansion campaigns in opposition strongholds including Nyanza, Western and the Coast region. The opposition party reportedly sought informal zoning arrangements aimed at protecting traditional support bases as coalition negotiations continue.
UDA, however, maintained that it had a constitutional right to field candidates across the country, dismissing suggestions that any region should be politically reserved for a specific party.
Despite the tensions, a joint statement issued after the meeting by President Ruto and Oburu Oginga struck a conciliatory tone, saying both sides had agreed to deepen cooperation through a broad-based management structure.
“The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration and exploring areas of mutual interest between the two parties,” the statement read.
The parties also agreed to establish a Broad-based Management Committee bringing together party leaders, selected Cabinet Secretaries and parliamentary leadership to coordinate legislative and executive priorities.
However, there is sharp disagreements emerged during the talks, particularly after UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar insisted that the ruling party would field candidates in every region, including ODM strongholds.
The friction has further fuelled anxiety among ODM members who fear the party could lose its identity and bargaining power in any future coalition deal.
At the party’s Special Delegates Convention held at Jamhuri Grounds on March 27, 2026, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed warned that ODM would not compromise its parliamentary strength during coalition negotiations.
“We want to increase our numbers in the next General Election from what we have today. We want to tell any party that we are associating with that our parliamentary numbers are not negotiable,” Junet declared.
As internal divisions continue to widen, Amisi’s latest declaration is likely to intensify debate within ODM over the party’s political direction and its relationship with the Kenya Kwanza administration ahead of the 2027 polls.