Migori Senator Eddy Oketch has stated that the position issued by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Central Management Committee (CMC) is the official party position.

While speaking during an interview on a local TV station on Tuesday, January 13, 2025, Oketch, who has recently supported the party entering into a pre-coalition pact with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), said that the CMC’s decision to task party leader Oburu Odinga with leading the party into pre-coalition agreement talks with UDA is now the official ODM position.

“ODM’s position is black and white. The official ODM position was given yesterday by the CMC,” he said.

He went on to describe the position issued by the CMC as not a simple decision but one that holds significant weight, as the party now steps into the next election cycle. He noted that, like any other party, ODM is also preparing for the 2027 general election.

This follows the CMC meeting in Vipingo, Kilifi County, which was led by Oburu Odinga. Among the many issues discussed, a key resolution was that the party should begin pre-coalition talks with other parties, particularly President William Ruto’s UDA, to determine how ODM will position itself for 2027.

The party is now set to commence public engagements, with the first public rally scheduled to take place in Kibra within the week. These engagements will culminate in a National Delegate Conference (NDC), the party’s highest decision-making body, which will formally endorse the outcomes of the engagements and the party leader’s position.

This move was also welcomed and rubber-stamped by a section of MPs drawn from the Orange Democratic Movement, led by Ruaraka MP Otile Kajwang, Makadara MP George Aladwa, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, and others.

They praised the decision while warning Secretary General Edwin Sifuna that he risks losing his SG position should he fail to toe the party line.

Orengo’s refusal

However, other leaders within the party, such as Siaya Governor James Orengo, are opposed to the move, saying that the party risks being reduced to a regional party and confined to its Luo stronghold, where it enjoys significant support.

He also stated that if ODM were to enter into a coalition pact with UDA, it should do so from a position of strength, as the stronger party in the coalition.