Governor Barasa warns Oburu against pre-coalition talks with DCP
By Mabonga Makhanu, January 23, 2026Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has stated that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader should engage all political parties except the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
Speaking in Kakamega County on Thursday, January 22, 2026, the governor, who also doubles as the Kakamega ODM County Chairman, urged the party leader to sideline DCP in the party’s quest for a coalition pact with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to Fernandes Barasa, the recent resolution by the party’s Central Management Committee (CMC), which tasked the party leader with initiating constructive pre-coalition talks with other parties such as UDA, should not include Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP party. He insisted that ODM should not approach DCP, arguing that the party is known for advancing tribal narratives that go against the values and principles of ODM.
“We have told the party leader, Oburu Odinga, to initiate talks with parties that share a similar vision, such as UDA. That is a party we can sit down and talk with,” he said.
The first time, the governor further took issue with the DCP party and the United Opposition, telling them that ODM was not formed to remain in opposition.
According to him, political parties are formed to form governments, which is why ODM is entering into a pact with UDA, a party he says is more likely to capture power.
The Kakamega governor is not the only ODM member who has come out to warn his party against entering into a coalition pact with DCP.
Okech’s demands
While speaking during an interview on Tuesday, January 13, 2025, Senator Oketch stated that if at all the ODM party wants to have a coalition agreement with any party, that must be the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and any other like-minded party, which, according to him, has shown willingness to unite the nation ahead of 2027.
“If ODM is going to negotiate with people like DCP, I am not supporting my party leader. These negotiations that are going on must be with UDA and other like-minded parties, because I can’t associate with a tribal party,” Oketch made it clear.
This comes after the ODM’s Central Management Committee (CMC) tasked its party leader to initiate structured talks with other like-minded parties such as ODM.