Oburu: The least position ODM can accept is deputy president
By David Nthua, November 3, 2025The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party will not accept a position lower than that of a deputy president if it enters into any pre-poll agreement with President William Ruto’s camp, acting ODM Party Leader Oburu Odinga has said.
Oburu, who spoke to a local TV station on Sunday, November 2, 2025, said that the party is currently focused on strengthening itself before negotiating any top positions.
ODM Party’s conditions
“I would like to say this way, I want my people of ODM to strengthen the ODM as a party. If we are going to start talking about the position we will occupy there, we will get nothing,” Oburu said.
“Nobody will respect you or negotiate with you if you are a weak party. Our emphasis is on strengthening our party, ODM, so that we can negotiate for the top position in the land.”
He added that if the party were to settle for the lowest position, it must be lower than number two, and that would depend on how hard they work to strengthen ODM.
Oburu also reflected on his recent nomination as interim party leader by the ODM National Executive Committee, describing the appointment as a shock.
“I was shocked when ODM NEC nominated me to be the interim party leader,” he said.
Head of ODM Party
The acting ODM leader dismissed suggestions that the party is merely a family inheritance, insisting that ODM belongs to all its members.
“ODM is not a family inheritance affair; it’s not Jaramogi’s party. Jaramogi’s party is headed by Moses Wetangula,” Oburu stated.
He went on to caution a section of leaders who have been spreading propaganda claiming that ODM has supported President Ruto’s reelection bid.
Oburu emphasised that the party remains independent, focused on consolidating its strength, and will negotiate only from a position of influence.
“Our priority is to build the party, unite our members, and ensure we enter into any political agreements with clarity and dignity,” he said, warning that weakening ODM by rushing into deals without preparation would only undermine its negotiating power.
The remarks underline ODM’s strategy ahead of the 2027 General Election, signalling that the party intends to leverage its internal strength to secure significant positions in any pre-election arrangements.