Gakuya explains why ODM should team up with United Opposition ahead of 2027
By Mabonga Makhanu, January 17, 2026Embakasi North MP James Gakuya has come out to explain why the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) should team up with the United Opposition ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
While speaking during the Vitu Kwa Ground YouTube podcast aired on Friday, January 17, 2025, the outspoken lawmaker called upon the Orange party to join the United Opposition so that they can form a formidable team capable of defeating President William Ruto, who is seeking a second term in 2027, at the ballot.
“Kuliko ODM ipokonywe na William Ruto itumike vile anataka kuitumia, ikiwa sasa hivi ODM ambayo imebaki leo ikishikana na wale wengine wa opposition team ili wajenge team moja yenye nguvu itakayomng’oa William Ruto na isimupe nguvu kusurvive muhula ingine,” Gakuya explained.
He explained that with the current state of ODM, which is divided on which direction to take in 2027, some members want it to support President William Ruto for his re-election, others are opposed, and another faction is pushing for the party to field a presidential candidate. Gakuya says that going ahead to field a presidential candidate would create a third force that would weaken the opposition and give the president an easier victory in 2027.
He called upon ODM to simply join the United Opposition and send Ruto home in 2027.
“Kama ODM wasijidanganye waweke third force, hiyo itakuwa ni kuumiza upinzani. Maombi yangu ni kwamba upinzani wote, pamoja na ODM, wangeungana pamoja wawe timu moja yenye nguvu, na hiyo itakuwa njia moja tu ya kumaliza William Ruto.”
ODM-UDA proposed talks
This comes at a time when the ODM Central Management Committee (CMC) met and tasked the Orange Democratic Alliance party leader, Oburu Odinga, to begin constructive pre-coalition talks with the UDA party as the party prepares for the 2027 General Election.
The party began with meet-the-people rallies, with the maiden rally being held at Kibra and Kamukunji Grounds, historic venues where the late Raila Odinga would often resort to when he had an important message to pass across.
The CMC stated that after the party leader is through with the talks, he will present his findings to the National Executive Committee (NEC), which is the highest decision-making organ of the party, for adoption.
ODM-DCP talks
Members drawn from the party, such as Migori senator Eddy Oketch, have ruled out any engagements with the United Opposition, saying that should the party enter into talks with parties such as the Rigathi Gachagua-led Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), he would not agree with ODM party leader Oburu Odinga.
He said he cannot allow his party to hold talks with a party that advances tribalism but welcomed the move by his party to enter into talks with parties such as the United Democratic Alliance, which, according to him, has shown willingness to unite the nation.