Orengo’s ODM faction vows to form next govt without UDA
By Mustafa Juma, February 8, 2026A faction of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) allied to Siaya Governor James Orengo has issued a firm declaration that the party will seek to form the next government independently, distancing itself from any pre-election coalition with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Speaking during a charged Linda Mwananchi rally in Busia on Sunday, February 8, 2026, Orengo and his allies, including ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, his Saboti counterpart Caleb Amisi, and Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, insisted that ODM “is not for sale” and cannot be absorbed into government arrangements that lack the consent of party members and wananchi.
“Sisi sote na wengine ambao mnaona hapa, ni wanachama wa ODM na tunasema kwamba hakuna mtu atakayevunja chama. Na tunasema pia kwamba chama cha ODM, chama cha Baba Raila Amolo Odinga, hakuna mtu atakayekiuza, na hakuna mtu anaeza thubutu kukimeza chama cha ODM,” Orengo said.
ODM–UDA pre-election coalition
Orengo further rejected ongoing plans and signals pointing to a possible ODM–UDA pre-election coalition, arguing that such an arrangement would betray the party’s core values and the sacrifices made by Kenyans, particularly young people, in recent protests.
He directly linked UDA and its leadership to the deaths of several Gen Z protesters during recent nationwide demonstrations, declaring that ODM cannot engage in political negotiations until justice is served.
“Chochote ambacho ODM itafanya lazima kiwe kimetoka hapa kwa wananchi. Ni lazima wasikie sauti ya wananchi. Chama cha UDA na kiongozi wake wamesababisha vifo vya Gen Z wengi sana hapa Kenya, na hatuzungumzi na mtu yeyote mpaka hawa vijana wapate haki yao. Baba Raila Odinga alisema hatutaki viti, tunataka wananchi wapate haki yao. Sasa tunasema kwamba chama cha ODM hakiwezi kuingia kwa UDA kamwe,” Orengo insisted.
Orengo defends Sifuna
ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, who has faced sustained criticism from sections of the party supporting cooperation with the government, was also publicly affirmed by the faction as the legitimate custodian of ODM’s administrative and ideological direction.
Moreover, Orengo maintained that ODM must field a presidential candidate in the next general election, warning against any attempt to force the party into a coalition that weakens its bargaining power or identity.
“Na nataka niseme hapa Busia kuwa katibu mkuu wa ODM ni Edwin Sifuna. ODM ndiyo inaweza kutengeneza serikali. Hakuna mtu atatulazimisha kuingia kwa serikali ambayo hatukubaliani nayo. ODM ndiyo lazima itengeneze serikali, na ODM lazima iwe na presidential candidate,” he said.
“Tunatoa onyo kwa wale ambao wanafanya biashara na chama cha ODM; wakifika hapa Busia, wasiingie. Cha cha ODM na wale ambao wataleta mageuzi Kenya ni hawa viongozi ambao mnawaona hapa: Bwana Godffrey Osotsi, Edwin Sifuna, Babu Owino, Caroli Omondi, Caleb Amisi, Majimbo Kalasinga, na wengine wengi sana.“