By Andrew Kariuki
ODM leader Oburu Oginga has announced that he is ready to contest the presidency in the 2027 general election if the Orange Democratic Movement opts to field its own candidate.
Speaking on Wednesday, December 31, Oburu said the party will honour the broad-based political arrangement with the Kenya Kwanza administration up to 2027, a position he said was agreed upon by the late Raila Odinga.
He explained that the coming year will be decisive for ODM, as the party charts its political direction ahead of the next elections.
“2026 is a crucial year for our party because things must be worked out before 2027. Before the end of 2026, we shall have clearly known and made all necessary arrangements going into 2027,” he said.
According to Oburu, ODM will determine within the year whether it will mount an independent presidential bid or pursue a coalition with other political formations.
“Before the end of the year, our party will have known whether we’re going it alone or going into a coalition with other parties and we shall have by that time known whom we’re going with,” he added.
Oburu further stated that ODM’s internal rules are clear on presidential nominations, insisting that the party leader automatically becomes the presidential candidate if ODM chooses to run independently.
“If we’re going it alone, I want to make it clear that our Constitution has the presidential candidate for our party and it is the party leader. I am the presidential candidate for ODM if the party decides to go it alone,” he said.
He cautioned party members who may be harbouring presidential ambitions within ODM, saying such plans would be inconsistent with the party’s constitution.
“Anybody who is preparing himself to go for presidential elections in ODM, I think is misplaced. If they want to go for the presidency, they should look for another party,” Oburu remarked.
He also dismissed popular political chants advocating for a one-term or two-term presidency, saying they have no place in ODM’s ideology as the party focuses on internal cohesion.
“Those talking of one-term or two-term, that is not our party policy. Ours is to work in unity, strengthen our party and work in this broad-based arrangement until 2027,” he said.
Oburu concluded by calling on party members to remain united and disciplined as ODM prepares for the political decisions ahead.
“We are urging our party to remain united, focused and steadfast in their pursuit of the people’s interests,” he said.
