Caleb Amisi rules out vying on ODM ticket if the party joins UDA
By Kenneth Mwenda, February 11, 2026Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi has declared he will not run on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket if the party allies with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 elections.
He made the statement during a radio interview on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
“If ODM joins UDA, I, Caleb Amisi, will not vie with ODM. It is just as clear as that,” Amisi said.
He added he might reconsider if ODM fields its own presidential candidate or joins a better, well-meaning coalition that aligns with his views.
“Because I believe this is not the right president for this nation,” he explained.
Amisi further clarified his issues with UDA.
“What I found is not a beef, really. It is what I think they are doing wrong.” He criticised UDA’s leadership.
“If you look at the history of UDA and their leader, there is nothing to their name about this nation. If you look at Jomo Kenyatta, you will find that Jomo Kenyatta is one of those people who were imprisoned for fighting for the independence of this country.”
The MP’s comments come amid his removal from ODM’s National Executive Committee (NEC). He said the party expelled him without following proper procedures.
“What people are not aware of is that they have already kicked me out,” he stated.
He questioned the process:
“For you to remove a NEC member, there are procedures. You don’t just write a letter from Bondo and send it on WhatsApp. The NEC must meet, and they must unanimously agree or vote that you’re supposed to leave. And you’re supposed to be given a right of reply. There must be a hearing.”
Amisi defends dual roles
The expulsion relates to Amisi holding two roles: county chairman and deputy organising secretary in the national party structure. He defended himself, noting that former party leader Raila Odinga personally appointed him to the national post.
“Baba Raila Odinga felt it fit that Hon Caleb Amisi is the best person to replace,” Amisi recalled. “Baba called me. He asked whether I’d be willing to serve as deputy organising secretary. I said, anything for you Baba. And I became one. The central committee passed.”
He added that he already held the county position at the time.
“If they thought that being in two positions is illegal, then they are the ones who committed the illegality, not Caleb Amisi. Because they are the ones who gave me that position,” he argued. Amisi noted that party officials cleared him to contest and vote in last year’s county elections despite knowing about the dual roles.
“So it looks like illegality, but it is political,” he said. “Just come in at the time when you have two factions in ODM… I’ve been serving in those two positions. You’ve just woken up and decided there’s an illegality here. So what the ODM is doing is destructive to itself.”
Amisi also claimed the party removed him from its WhatsApp group to silence him ahead of the NEC meeting.
“They didn’t want strong voice in today’s NEC meeting,” he said. He plans to take legal action: “I’m going to court; my lawyer will write back to ODM today.”
Pressure on Sifuna
The NEC meeting also dropped former councillor Kipkorir Menjo and Taita Taveta Senator Johnes Mwaruma. Insiders view these moves as targeting allies of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, who faces pressure himself.
National Treasury CS John Mbadi recently called for Sifuna’s expulsion, accusing him of divided loyalties.
“Someone like Sifuna will not remain in ODM because already he is conflicted. He is now selling the agenda of someone else… You cannot keep him in the party,” Mbadi said.
The party remains divided over potential cooperation with UDA. One faction, linked to party leader Oburu Oginga, favours closer ties, while Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi oppose any pre-election pacts.