Oburu arrives in Busia for ODM’s Linda Ground tour
By Mabonga Makhanu, January 17, 2026Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Odinga has arrived in Busia County for the party’s Linda Ground tour.
The Siaya senator arrived in the county at Malaba aboard a helicopter, accompanied by a section of leaders drawn from the Orange Democratic Movement, led by party chairperson Gladys Wanga.
“Tumepokelewa rasmi na Mheshimiwa Gavana wa Busia, H.E. Hon. Paul Otuoma, pamoja na Mheshimiwa Hon. Kaunya, Mbunge wa eneo hili, na Emormor, kiongozi wa kitamaduni, pamoja na viongozi wengine wakuu wa kisiasa wa Kaunti ya Busia. Tumeingia ground. Kazi imeanza,” Oburu said.
Others in the entourage included Dagoretti MP Beatrice Elachi, Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, and Vihiga Governor Wilberforce Otichillo, all of whom were donning ODM party colours.
The ODM delegation was welcomed by Busia Governor Paul Otuoma ahead of their tour across the county.
The leaders are set to hold rallies in Malaba before proceeding to Kakamega to culminate their Western Kenya ODM Linda Ground tour.
The Linda Ground forums began in Kibra, Nairobi County, a historic area where the late former prime minister often resorted whenever he wanted to pass major political messages.
The forums were initiated following a resolution by the ODM Central Management Committee (CMC), which agreed to launch the engagements as part of collecting grassroots views after tasking party leader Oburu Odinga with leading pre-coalition talks with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
After the Linda Ground forums, the process will proceed to the National Delegates Conference (NDC). Once unanimously adopted, the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) will formalise the position, paving the way for ODM to officially enter into a coalition agreement with the UDA party.
Divisions in ODM
This comes at a time when the ODM party are divided on which path they should take as they prepare to wedge into 2027. One faction of the party is against the party supporting President William Ruto, with the other faction wanting the party to field its presidential candidate to challenge the president.
Several leaders drawn from the UDA party have welcomed the push by ODM to form a coalition with the UDA party, with them also okaying their party leader, President William Ruto, to also engage other parties on matters of coalition formation as part of their 2027 election preparedness.