ODM: We want 50-50 deal with UDA or there will be no deal
By Sharon Atieno, July 27, 2026The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has intensified pressure on its coalition partner, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), declaring that it will only back President William Ruto’s re-election bid if the party secures the deputy president’s position in what leaders described as a 50-50 power-sharing arrangement.
Speaking during a party meeting, ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed and Budget Committee Chairperson Samuel Atandi insisted that the party would not settle for anything less than an equal political deal ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“As President Ruto is going for the presidency, we will also go for the deputy as a party. That’s the position. It’s clear,” Arati said.
ODM insists on 50-50 formula
Arati said the agreement between ODM and UDA must be based on equality, maintaining that the party would not compromise on its demand for the deputy president’s slot.
“Our party, ODM and UDA will go 50-50. There is no shortcut about it. If we have no 50, there is no sorry. It’s 50-50,” he declared.
Junet echoed the sentiments, saying ODM had already settled on pursuing the country’s second-highest office if UDA retained the presidential ticket.
“If UDA produces the presidential candidate, ODM must produce the deputy presidential candidate so that the two parties can be together in the next election. It is a confirmed position that we will go for the deputy president’s position,” Junet said.
Oparanya emerges as leading contender
As ODM pushes for the deputy president’s position, party leaders acknowledged that several senior figures are interested in the slot.
Junet said former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya remains among the strongest contenders, although the final decision would be made internally after the party secures the position.
“Yesterday we talked about Oparanya. He’s one of the top contenders of the party for that position. There’s also Joho, our party chair Gladys Wanga and even the party leader himself. We will first get the position as a party, then we will sit down and agree on the right person,” Junet said.
SASRA Board and Management in Mombasa on Friday, March 13, 2026: PHOTO/@DrOparanya/X
Atandi also threw his weight behind Oparanya, describing him as one of ODM’s strongest candidates for the deputy president’s slot.
“I’ve also realised that Oparanya is a very, very strong contender. He was one of the top governors when he served Kakamega. He’s highly rated, and I think his bid to become President Ruto’s running mate is a strong one,” Atandi said.
Pressure mounts amid ODM divisions
ODM’s latest demands come at a time when the party is facing internal divisions following the fallout that led to the exit of former Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna.
Over the weekend, Siaya Governor James Orengo claimed the party had lost its direction after sidelining Sifuna, arguing that the political cooperation between ODM and President Ruto had weakened the party.
Speaking during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Bungoma, Orengo said ODM lost its identity after changes in the party leadership following the death of Raila Odinga.
“ODM ilikufa wakati walianza kuchezea Sifuna,” Orengo said.
Orengo also questioned whether President Ruto had honoured commitments made under the political cooperation between the two sides, accusing him of failing to fulfil key promises.
The latest declaration by ODM leaders signals that negotiations over the party’s role in the 2027 elections are gathering momentum, with the deputy president’s position emerging as a key condition for any continued political partnership with UDA.