By John Mutiso
ODM party leader Oburu Oginga has declared his intention to steer the Orange party toward forming the government in the 2027 elections, dismissing suggestions that the party could accept an opposition role.
Speaking on Wednesday, November 19, Oburu made it clear that ODM would not be weakened or fragmented under his leadership, vowing to consolidate the party’s strength ahead of the next general election.
In a defiant statement, Oburu addressed those attempting to split the Orange party, asserting that such efforts would not succeed during his tenure.
“Those who want to think or want to break ODM, it will never happen in my hands. We shall not allow ODM to be divided. We are going to move forward and make ODM stronger and stronger, so that when it comes to 2027, we are either going to go it alone or we are going to go with parties with which we negotiate and get a good deal to work together,” he stated.
The ODM leader emphasized that the party’s objective has always been to attain power, not to settle for opposition status.
“That is what our party is all about. There is nothing like forming a party to be in the opposition. I’m not going to lead my party to the opposition. I’m going to lead my party to the government. I will not lead my party to the opposition,” Oburu declared.
Oburu’s remarks come amid ongoing debates within ODM regarding the party’s political arrangement with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration, with some party members expressing reservations about the current alignment.
Last week, Siaya County Governor James Orengo delivered a stern critique of the relationship between ODM and the government during the party’s 20th anniversary celebrations in Mombasa on November 14.
Orengo boldly declared that it was President Ruto who required ODM’s support, not the reverse, challenging perceptions about the nature of their political partnership.
“I dare say this, Ruto needs ODM; it’s not ODM that needs Ruto,” Orengo stated firmly. “There are people in this party behaving as if ODM needs Ruto. I’m not afraid to say. I was very happy when Dr. Oburu said ODM will not be swallowed. I am equally happy with what Winnie Odinga has said.”
The Governor warned against ODM losing its core identity as a people-centered movement, citing examples of African liberation parties that collapsed after abandoning their foundational principles.
“Liberation parties in Africa keep dying. When you go to Tanzania, CCM is no longer in power. Uganda the UPC is gone, in Zambia the liberation party is dead, because they forgot about the people,” Orengo observed.
He insisted that ODM must remain true to its identity as a party of the people, implying that the current broad-based government concept may not be sustainable.
“ODM is a party for the people, by the people. ODM can never be the party of broad-based, inclusive, and for the interests of the broad-based. In law and in politics, there is no such thing,” he stated.
Orengo further challenged party members who appeared comfortable with the existing political arrangement to consider the implications for ODM’s future electoral prospects.
“So tell me, in 2027, you decide to support Ruto and make him president, where does that leave ODM? In 1963, we had many parties; they were told it’s not good to be in opposition, and they all moved to KANU. We had to go to the streets to protest for multi-partism,” he said.
