The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo has warned that the party could reconsider its position in the broad-based arrangement if the government fails to heed the plea of ordinary Kenyans.

Speaking on Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Malaba South Ward, Busia County, Omanyo criticised fuel pricing, questioning why neighbouring landlocked countries enjoy lower fuel costs despite relying on transit through Kenya.

“We cannot be serving landlocked countries, and in their nations, the fuel prices are lower. It doesn’t make sense. We keep saying the fuel prices should go lower,” she stated.

“I will not look at Kenyans suffering while I sing about broad-based government. It should be good, better for the people. We must remember the people that we promised to protect and fight for them.”

Her remarks come at a time when tensions appear to be rising within the broad-based government arrangement between ODM and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

ODM leader Oburu Oginga on Friday echoed similar concerns, calling on President William Ruto to rein in members of his party over what he termed as disrespectful conduct towards ODM.

“I’m in good relationship with the President, but he should discipline and talk to some of these high officials of his party,” Oburu said while speaking in Kisumu County after meeting a section of clergy.

At the same time, he dismissed reports that ODM had suspended talks with UDA, clarifying that formal negotiations between the two parties had not yet begun.

“We cannot stop what has not started. Our negotiations with UDA have not started. We have not even formed the negotiating teams to put breaks on them,” he noted.

Oburu also cautioned UDA against encroaching on ODM strongholds, particularly as discussions around political zoning continue within the party ranks.

“We don’t want to compete with people whom we are going into partnership with called UDA. They are the only ones we don’t want to interfere,” he added.

The fallout?

The latest developments follow a meeting of ODM’s Central Committee on Thursday, April 16, 2026, where the party raised concern over what it described as unwarranted public utterances by some UDA officials, which it said were causing anxiety among its members.

The outfit has demanded respect from the ruling party, the United Democratic Alliance, slamming senior officials’ public utterances.

In a statement on the official ODM X account on Thursday, April 16, 2026, the party accused select leaders from UDA of causing anxiety and disquiet among ODM members.

“On our relationship with our broad-based partners, the UDA party, the Central Committee noted with concern the goings on and the unwarranted public utterances by some senior officials of the UDA Party aimed at causing anxiety and disquiet among our members,” ODM stated.

While slamming select UDA leaders, the ODM leaders shared the principles, ideology and the foundation of the party.

“As a Party that believes in its principles, ideology and the foundation on which it was founded, we demand RESPECT from the UDA party,” ODM stated.

At the same time, the party has weighed in on the fuel prices in the country, demanding a cushion for Kenyans from the effects of this crisis.

“Kenyans are concerned about the increase in fuel prices. We know this is a global problem. While noting the government’s efforts to mitigate the situation, we continue to push it to do more to cushion Kenyans from the effects of this crisis,” ODM added.