MP Kaluma expresses confidence in UDA–ODM pact, predicts clean sweep in 2027
By Mabonga Makhanu, February 1, 2026Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has expressed confidence in the proposed talks between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), saying the coalition would record a clean sweep in the 2027 general election.
In a post shared on his social media pages on Sunday, February 1, 2026, the outspoken legislator predicted that if the talks proceed as proposed, the majority of elective seats would be won by candidates from the coalition.
Kaluma dismissed any possibility of including members of the United Opposition or parties associated with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, including his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), stating that they would not be part of the arrangement.
“ODM and UDA are headed for a pre-election coalition agreement, without Gachagua and his associates. It will be a clean sweep in the 2027 elections—over 80% of the national vote and over 70% of MPs,” Kaluma stated.
His remarks come days after ODM’s Central Management Committee (CMC) allowed the party leadership to initiate structured pre-coalition talks with UDA as part of the party’s preparations for the 2027 general election.
ODM Linda Ground Forums
Ahead of the proposed talks, ODM also launched nationwide consultative meetings dubbed the Linda Ground Forums, with the initial rallies held at Kibra and Kamukunji Grounds, historic venues often used by the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to deliver key political messages.
The forums later moved to the Western, Nyanza, and South Rift regions. After the conclusion of the Linda Ground Forums, ODM plans to convene a Special National Delegates Conference (NDC) to deliberate on the findings and formally adopt them as the party’s official position.
On its part, the UDA party has begun internal deliberations on ODM’s proposal. Recently, a National Governing Council (NGC) meeting was held at State House under the chairmanship of President William Ruto, where the party agreed to the proposal and authorised its leader to initiate coalition talks with ODM and other political parties.
ODM’s internal division
However, the ODM–UDA talks have triggered internal divisions within ODM, with a splinter group emerging to oppose the proposed coalition. The faction is led by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi, and Siaya Governor James Orengo.
Osotsi has argued that instead of focusing on the party’s 10-point agenda championed by the late Raila Odinga, ODM is rushing into coalition arrangements. Orengo, on his part, has warned that the talks risk reducing ODM, a party that has existed since 2005, into a regional outfit, stripping it of the national outlook that Raila Odinga fought hard to build.
Despite the opposition, another faction led by Oburu Odinga and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed has vowed to push ahead with the coalition talks, insisting that they will not be deterred by the Sifuna-led group.