By Faith Anene
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has demanded an equal partnership with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 General Election, with the party seeking the Deputy President position in a possible pre-election deal.
Speaking at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega during the first anniversary of the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga said the party would only pursue an arrangement that guarantees it fair representation.
Wanga said ODM would also conduct free, fair and transparent nominations, allowing aspirants with popular support to compete for the party’s ticket.
She said ODM remained committed to fielding candidates for elective positions while supporting Ruto’s re-election under a negotiated political arrangement.
“In Kakamega, we want MCAs, MPs, the governor and senator to be elected on ODM tickets, while William Ruto becomes president if we reach an agreement with him,” Wanga said.
She added that ODM expected its partnership with UDA to include the Deputy President position.
Kakamega Governor and ODM county chairman Fernandes Barasa urged party leaders to embrace unity and stop propaganda and personal attacks, warning that internal divisions could undermine the party’s cohesion.
Barasa said the anniversary should remind ODM members of Raila’s legacy of devolution, democracy and social justice.
He also challenged Wanga to address concerns over claims that some individuals were using access to nomination certificates to intimidate aspirants seeking the party’s ticket.
Barasa said no individual should claim exclusive authority to determine who becomes an MCA, MP or governor, arguing that party nominations must be governed by a transparent process.
He maintained that ODM members should be allowed to compete fairly for tickets rather than face pressure from influential individuals.
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, meanwhile, criticised young politicians who had left ODM, questioning their expectations of political support from former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Junet dismissed suggestions that newcomers could quickly rise to the presidency without building sustained political support, citing ODM’s decades-long struggle to secure the country’s top office.
He said ODM was prepared to work with leaders from Western and Nyanza to consolidate support for Ruto’s re-election, describing the proposed cooperation as a Western Alliance.
Junet also defended the government’s development record, arguing that regions previously neglected were beginning to benefit from national government projects.
He cited the constitutional allocation of at least 15 per cent of nationally raised revenue to county governments, arguing that a larger share of public resources remained under the national government.
The leaders urged ODM members to close ranks as the party navigates negotiations with UDA and prepares for the 2027 elections, with nomination rules and the terms of any political agreement emerging as key issues.
