Gladys Wanga: ODM has formally agreed to shelve ‘Wantam’ and ‘Tutam’ talks
By Mabonga Makhanu, March 25, 2026Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has stated that, as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), they have decided to shelve the ‘Wantam’ and ‘Tutam’ talks ahead of their proposed structured engagements.
While speaking during an interview with a local radio station on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the outspoken first-term governor said the reason behind this resolution is to approach the structured negotiations with their UDA counterparts with one voice. After the talks, they can then resume their ‘Tutam’ chants.
“Tumekubaliana kama chama mambo hiii mambo ya Wantam na Tutam tuwache kidogo; this is our official position. Let’s leave this and focus on the negotiations; after that we can resume the Tutam talks,” Wanga said.
Ruth Odinga’s view
In a statement shared on her social media channels on Monday, March 2, 2026, the outspoken ODM organising secretary called for the two factions, which have dominated the party in recent days and have been competing to outdo each other, to be disbanded or merged into one formidable force that could give the party an advantage ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Just like Wanga, Ruth Odinga argued that for the party to have stronger bargaining power ahead of next year’s elections, it should present a united team to improve its position in pre-coalition talks.
“My stand has not changed: I want one strong, united ODM party. We need to collapse ‘Linda Ground’ and ‘Linda Wananchi’ and any other factions into one formidable force; the requisite political muscle to engage in structured negotiations with other parties ahead of elections next year,” she stated.
According to Ruth Odinga, who is also opposed to the recent decision by the ODM Party’s Central Management Committee (CMC) that tasked the party leader, Oburu Odinga, to lead structured pre-election coalition talks with the UDA party, the party still has ample time.
Precoalition talks
This comes at a time when the ODM party are getting ready for the proposed pre-coalition talks with their UDA counterparts; this has seen the two teams propose an 8-member committee, with each party producing 4 members to represent their respective outfits.
The Linda Mwanachi faction, which is mainly comprised of rebels within the ODM party, is opposed to the move by the Wanga-led team to enter into a coalition agreement with President William Ruto’s party.