Oburu defends ODM-UDA coalition talks delay, reveals when deal will be ready
By Kenneth Mwenda, July 4, 2026The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Oginga has defended the slow pace of coalition talks between his party and the ruling William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), saying the process is deliberate and will be concluded before the end of 2026.
Speaking on Saturday, July 4, 2026, during the ODM Women Empowerment Programme in Nyando, Kisumu County, Oburu responded to critics who have questioned why formal negotiations appear delayed despite rising political activity ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He dismissed claims that ODM is moving too slowly, insisting the party still has enough time to finalise arrangements.
“Why is Oburu still just keeping quiet? Why is he not starting negotiations with the Ruto government? Why is it too slow?” he said, repeating the criticism directed at him.
He responded:
“I’m not too slow. Election is next year in August next year. We still have more than one year to go.”
Oburu explained that ODM is holding back formal coalition arrangements to avoid exposing its political strategy too early.
He said early negotiations would give rivals an advantage by revealing ODM’s intentions before agreements are complete.
“And if we try to make a coalition arrangement too early, we are going to give our opponents some clue of what we want to do, and they can shoot it from far very early,” he said.
He added that ODM will not allow opponents to know their intentions too early or gain an advantage in shaping the political environment before deals are finalised.
According to him, the party is working within a clear timeline and expects all key decisions to be completed before the end of the year.
“We are not going to make it, but in any case, we are going to make it before the end of the year. We are going to make sure before the end of the year we are through,” he said.
Coalition talks with UDA still active
The remarks confirm that talks between ODM and UDA remain active, even though public engagement appears limited.
Earlier statements by Oburu showed that ODM is open to wide-ranging negotiations with the government, including discussions on key state positions.
In April 2026, Oburu said that everything is on the table in talks with UDA. He noted that no issue had been excluded from discussion, including senior executive roles.
He said even the position of deputy president could be part of the final agreement, showing the scale of discussions underway.
The ODM-UDA talks have faced internal pressure, especially over electoral zoning and how positions will be shared in any future arrangement.
Some leaders have raised concerns that zoning could limit competition and favour certain candidates in key regions. Others argue it could destabilise party unity ahead of nominations.
Oburu acknowledged these concerns but insisted that ODM will resolve them through internal structures rather than public debate.
He also reassured party members that fairness will guide any future nominations.
“There will be no individual who will be favoured, including me,” he said earlier in the year.
Oburu has repeatedly argued that ODM will not enter any coalition as a junior partner without influence.
Several leaders, including Oburu Oginga and Gladys Wanga, have pushed for a balanced power-sharing formula, including a 50-50 arrangement in negotiations with UDA.
“Sisi kama ODM tumesema hivi, Dr Oburu Odinga aingie katika mazungumzo na President William Ruto, wasikizane, ile ng’ombe ikatwe katitaki ODM ichukue nusu, UDA ichukue nusu,” Wanga said during a past event.
Opposition also delays naming candidate
ODM’s strategy mirrors a similar approach being taken by the opposition.
On the same day Oburu spoke in Kisumu, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also said the opposition would not rush to name its presidential candidate.
Speaking in Nyeri County, Gachagua said announcing a flagbearer too early would expose the opposition to political attacks and internal division.
“We will not give you the advantage of dividing us,” he said.
He added that the opposition would keep its candidate secret until the last possible moment to protect unity and prevent targeting by rivals.
People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua also supported the cautious approach, saying the opposition should first agree on structure and governance before naming a candidate.
Kenya’s political environment is increasingly shaped by timing, coalition building and strategic silence as parties prepare for the 2027 General Election.