Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Odinga has declared the outfit will not defy the late former Premier Raila Odinga’s wish to stay in government, insisting he shall push for structured negotiation with the ruling coalition (UDA).

Speaking on Friday, February 20, 2026, with Siaya Assembly leadership ahead of Saturday’s Linda ground meeting in Siaya Town, declared moving on with structured negotiations without the blessing of the ODM faction led by Governor James Orengo and Senator Edwin Sifuna.

“I will not defy Raila Odinga’s wish to stay in power beyond 2027. Raila was not a fool to lead us to government through a broad-based government,” he said.

Oburu said Raila, who had sacrificed a lot in favour of Kenya’s found it fit to lead his lieutenants and ODM party in the ruling government, whose affairs are run by President William Ruto.

“We entered this government through the window. But the one that is coming, we will enter through the door. We will negotiate and ensure we have more power than we currently have,” the Siaya Senator stated.

This comes amid a deepening rift in the factions over the pact with Ruto in the post-Raila era. However, Oburu has reiterated that their negotiations with UDA are unstoppable, and those having contrary opinions are serving the interests of our political enemies who believe in a shareholding government.

“So, we cannot rule out our negotiations with UDA even if some ODM leaders have a contrary opinion. Their political stand does not deter our negotiation efforts,” he said.

“We want to start negotiations with UDA, our broad-based partners. We are not on the side of one term, nor are we for two terms, but strengthening the part to negotiate with strong numbers.”

Oburu said they are going for lucrative poirtfolios in the negotiating table.

“We are keen on negotiating for lucrative positions, including the DP post, so those holding the post and thinks its reserved for them are daydreaming. The DP is one of the key posts we are going for, so whoever is holding it should be ready to justify to us why we should not grab it.

“So weather will be rubbing shoulders with some politicians whom we have caught on the wrong side must know that it won’t be our worry,” Senator Oburu said.

ODM infighting

Oburu noted a split in ODM and vowed to turn a deaf ear to Orengo led team, which feels that the ruling government is rotten and should not be our partners.

The party leader said the party prides itself on the strength it gains per day as he intensifies grassroots mobilisation to enhance its bargaining power in looming coalition talks.

Oburu stressed the 10-point agenda and party policies that would be part of the negotiation agenda.

“We shall also push for shares of the ODM party in terms of development petitions.  The party will pursue a stronger, more equitable political arrangement, insisting that any future alliance must guarantee ODM a fair share of power,” he explained.

Moreover, he said that ODM will not go into negotiation with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, whom he termed as selfish and more government.

“The shareholding issue propagated by Ex-DP Rigathi Gachagua revolved around his likening of Kenya to a company where citizens hold shares based on their voting patterns,” he quipped.

“Gachagua had made it clear that Luo does not have shares in the government he formed with President Ruto; that kind of a leader does not mean well for our people, hence should be ignored. If the Luo Community did not have shares when he was DP, why should we engage such a person, we can’t have any meaningful agenda with him, “he added.