Ruth Odinga: It’s too premature for ODM to sign pre-election pact with UDA
By Mustafa Juma, February 18, 2026Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has declared that it is too early for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to enter into a pre-election pact with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Speaking on the night of Wednesday, February 18, 2026, during an interview with a local TV station, the late Raila Odinga’s young sister urged ODM to first address internal and policy commitments before pursuing new political alliances.
Ruth said the ODM party must “get its house in order” before rushing into any pre-election agreement.
“It is very premature for ODM to have that pact. We really need to first get our house in order,” she said.
10-point agenda
She went ahead to reference the party’s previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UDA, particularly the 10-point agenda, questioning why key commitments remain unresolved.
Among the issues she raised was the right to freedom of assembly, which she said must be addressed before any political handshake or pact discussions.
She cited recent unrest in Kitengela during embattled ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi rally, where the peaceful gathering was disrupted by police action, resulting in teargas scenes and reported fatalities.
“So, why would we want to go to any pre-election pact so hurriedly when we have not even done some of the MoUs we put in place, like the 10-point agenda? Like the freedom of assembly? For example, what happened in Kitengela? Why was there a teargas scene and death? Those are some of the things we talked about in the 10-point agenda. If such things have not been tackled, why are we rushing to have a pre-election pact?” she questioned.
Ruth defends Sifuna
At the same time, Ruth declared her support for Sifuna, revealing that she opposed attempts to remove him from his position within the ODM party.
Ruth went ahead to note that while she supports many of Sifuna’s positions and actions, she acknowledges that the broader party may hold a different view.
“I support Edwin Sifuna in many cases of what he does. But what the party feels is different. I am one of the people who opposed Sifuna’s removal,” Ruth stated.