Oburu and ODM leaders outline hardline coalition strategy in push for 2027 polls
By Viola Kosome and Kepher Otieno, May 31, 2026Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders on Sunday, May 31, 2026, held a major rally at Kirembe Grounds in Kisumu, where they restated party unity, coalition strategy, and preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The event brought together supporters from Siaya, Migori, Kisumu, Homa Bay and surrounding regions, with leaders emphasising internal cohesion and structured political engagement ahead of the polls.
Party leader Oburu Oginga said ODM is positioning itself for power in 2027 while insisting that future political partnerships must be based on equality and formal agreements.
He said, “This meeting was made for the community of Nyanza, which is largely occupied by the Luo community, but not only the Luo. There are others like the Baragoli and the Kuria”, adding that the community remains the pillar of ODM support.
He stated that ODM would pursue structured negotiations with its current partner, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), noting that coalition agreements must be documented and based on equal footing.
“We are aiming at power in 2027, and we are going to make sure we defeat the opposition only if we work together to form a government with UDA for us to get a bigger share as well,” he said.
Oburu further emphasised that future coalitions would not be based on political convenience. “We are going to negotiate hard starting with UDA, which is our current partners. Our future coalitions are going to be based on equality and formal agreements rather than political convenience. We are going to come out with a very well-negotiated document which will form a coalition government on an equal basis,” he said.
He also ruled out specific political alignments, stating, “Personally, I cannot lead my people to join with Gachagua. I don’t want to join Gachagua.” He repeatedly stressed unity, adding: “Unity is the foundation of success. Without unity, there is no success… We shall not allow anybody to divide our community, we shall vote together and we are together forever.”
Unity, coalition engagement and governance participation
Homa Bay Governor and ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga echoed calls for unity and rejected internal division. “We say no to the division of the Luos and party members. There is no discussion or negotiations which will be held outside ODM,” she said.
Wanga highlighted ODM’s participation in the broad-based government, citing development-linked appointments, including Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi. “This government has helped to bring development to our people. We can only dialogue together and not go to the streets or to the opposition,” she said.
She further warned against political fragmentation, stating: “The opposition bus is full without Luos, Mombasa, Kisii, and the rest of the country,” while encouraging engagement within structured political spaces.
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o described the rally as a platform for unity and national dialogue, saying: “These meetings are very important to assert the unity among ourselves, not just as a Luo community, but as an example to the rest of Kenyans.” He emphasised dialogue in leadership: “Let us be quiet and listen to each other to build this nation. Unity does not mean that we disagree, but we disagree to agree.”
Nyong’o also stressed development outcomes, citing the Standard Gauge Railway extension to Kisumu as an example of progress requiring engagement with government institutions. “Imagine a Luo woman taking the SGR to Mombasa to see a sick relative in the hospital. That is a very important thing… We cannot get such projects without dialogue,” he said.
He added that ODM must embrace generational renewal, stating: “We must build ODM and support leadership changes so that younger people can come and build the party.”
Leadership structure and national priorities
The rally concluded with formal resolutions reaffirming ODM’s leadership and political direction. The party declared Nyanza “one, indivisible and united,” stating that all political engagement must be channelled through ODM structures. It reaffirmed Oburu Oginga as Party Leader, Governors Simba Arati and Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir as Deputy Party Leaders, and Gladys Wanga as Chairperson.
ODM recommitted to participation in the broad-based government while maintaining its long-term objective of capturing power. “We reaffirm our commitment to staying in the broad-based government and in government now and in the future and building partnerships to capture power,” the resolutions stated.
The party also demanded full implementation of its 10-point agenda, including compensation for victims of post-election violence, and reaffirmed loyalty to Raila Odinga alongside party organs such as the SNDC, Central Committee, and NEC.
On national issues, ODM raised concerns over economic pressures, especially fuel costs, and urged government intervention while noting global factors affecting prices. The party also addressed school safety following the Utumishi Academy fire in Gilgil, calling for a review of safety recommendations. “We call for a speedy review of the implementation status of all the recommendations of all previous committees and commissions… with a view to ending, once and for all, tragedies witnessed at Utumishi Academy,” the resolutions stated.
On public health, ODM called for structured national dialogue on health programmes and Ebola messaging, urging the Health Committee Chair Nyikal to initiate a parliamentary inquiry to address misinformation and politicisation of health matters.
In a follow-up communication, Oburu thanked supporters for the turnout, described ODM as the region’s political backbone, and urged intensified voter registration and party membership, noting that numbers will be key in 2027.