Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has dismissed claims that his party may not front a candidate in the 2027 general election, insisting that no such decision has been made.

Speaking in Machakos on Monday during an ODM Parliamentary Group meeting, Raila warned members against committing the party to agreements that had not been discussed or approved. He stressed that ODM had its own plan, and decisions about 2027 would be made when the time comes.

“So, wherever you are, don’t commit the party to some things which have not been discussed. Let those things be discussed first. We are ODM. Who’s told you that ODM will not have a candidate in 2027, who has told you,” Raila said.

He noted that the party had a clear roadmap negotiated earlier in the year when ODM signed a pact with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA). According to Odinga, that agreement was aimed at creating stability and addressing pressing national challenges, not surrendering ODM’s future role.

“We have a clear plan that we have negotiated and we have agreed on. And let us continue to implement that plan. Other decisions we’ll take when the time comes,” he added.

This comes after Kisumu governor Anyang Nyong’o said that ODM will have a presidential candidate in 2027.

Agenda achieved

At the meeting, Raila defended ODM’s cooperation with Ruto’s government, saying the arrangement had achieved a core agenda. He pointed to improved stability, reduced political tensions, and progress on joint initiatives such as the NADCO report and the national budget.

“This far, a core agenda of our coming together has been achieved. We have a stable and peaceful country. We beat up the chaos and created an environment where we could agree to disagree without fights,” he said.

He praised ODM MPs for helping build a working relationship with the government, adding that compromise was necessary to prevent Kenya from slipping into further unrest.

“Whatever differences we have, as parties or leaders, we must have the country first,” he said.

Raila also urged ODM members not to feel ashamed of working with Ruto, describing it as a patriotic move made in the national interest.

According to the latest survey released by TIFA, support for the broad-based government had increased by 7 per cent.

Earlier remarks spark confusion

His latest remarks, however, contrast with statements he made in July at his Karen home. Then, Raila said that ODM’s deal with Ruto’s administration would expire in 2027. He was clear that the collaboration was a temporary measure to steady the country, not a permanent political alliance.

“We have said that we are in the broad-based government until 2027. We did not say that we are going to work with UDA beyond 2027,” Odinga said at the time.

“Those are issues that we will discuss at the appropriate time, and the decision will be made by party members, not Raila Odinga alone.”