ODM NDC gives Oburu power to start coalition talks with Ruto’s UDA
By Faith Lagat, March 27, 2026In a dramatic consolidation of authority at the ongoing Special Delegates Convention (SDC) at Jamhuri Grounds, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has empowered Oburu Odinga to initiate structured negotiations with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) on a possible pre-election coalition agreement.
This comes shortly after the party formally confirmed the Siaya Senator as the party leader and handed him the instruments of power, including the official party constitution.
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed formally confirmed the decision after putting the motion to delegates for approval during the convention.
“Now that we have a proposer and a seconder, let me ask the question. As many as are of that opinion say ‘Aye’ and as many of the contrary opinion say ‘No’. The Ayes have it. Now Senator Oburu Oginga is the party leader of ODM,” Junet announced.
The symbolic move reached on March 27, 2026, signals a major transition within the party’s leadership structure and cements Oburu’s mandate to steer ODM through the politically critical period leading to the 2027 General Election.
Delegates at the convention overwhelmingly endorsed his leadership, granting him the authority to chart the party’s strategic direction and represent ODM in high-level political engagements.
The decision marks a significant shift in ODM’s political strategy and could reshape alliances ahead of 2027.
Leadership changes at the convention
During the convention at Jamhuri Park in Nairobi, ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga read the resolution confirming the ratification of the party’s leadership.
“The National Delegates convention hereby ratifies Senator Oburu Odinga as the national party leader of the Orange Democratic Party,” Wanga announced.
Delegates from across the country attended the high-level meeting, which marked a key moment for the party as it seeks to consolidate leadership following the passing of former party leader Raila Odinga in October 2025.
The convention also approved new deputy party leaders, with Kisii Governor Simba Arati and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir taking up the roles. The resolutions came amid ongoing efforts by the party to streamline its leadership structure and strengthen internal coordination ahead of upcoming political activities.
Winnie Odinga calls for youth inclusion
East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga addressed the convention shortly after Oburu’s ratification, congratulating the new party leader while urging the leadership to expand opportunities for young people within the party.
“I say this with humility: congratulations, our party leader. We believe as you lead this next part of the transition, as they call you, the youth leader, you’ll open the space in this party for all the millions of young people of Kenya and give us our space,” she said.
Winnie emphasised the need for greater youth participation in party processes and decision-making. “Our young people are demanding their rightful space at the table… we must create space for them instead of only calling on them when we want them to shout,” she said.
She added that youth involvement should extend beyond political rallies to meaningful engagement in shaping party policies and negotiations.
Oburu promises discipline and unity
In his address, Oburu called for unity within the party and warned against actions that undermine ODM’s internal structures. “I will not encourage indiscipline in the party because democracy does not mean chaos,” he said.
“I want to tell my daughter here, Winnie, that we are not going to expel people. We are not going to be a party of expelling people. We are going to be a party of including people and asking them to come in.”
Oburu said ODM would continue operating within democratic principles where decisions are made collectively through party structures.
“One of the cardinal principles of democracy is that the minority will have its say and the majority will have its way. That is how democracy works. Democracy does not mean chaos,” he reiterated.