By Vincent Manal
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Oginga has warned individuals outside the party against interfering in its negotiations with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
In a statement, Dr Oginga said that the party has established structures and experienced leadership capable of determining its political direction going into the 2027 General Election.
Dr Oginga, who has been unwell, accused unnamed outsiders of trying to exploit his absence to interfere with how the party should approach the negotiations with UDA.
The leader particularly took issue with external voices seeking to dictate whether the negotiations should result in a formal written agreement, maintaining that such decisions were the responsibility of the party’s leadership.
“ODM is an established political institution with legitimate structures, clear objectives and an experienced leadership capable of conducting negotiations in the Party’s and Kenyans’ best interests,” he said.
He emphasised that ODM had made significant sacrifices for the country’s progress and stability and remained committed to contributing to national development through political engagement.
However, he cautioned that negotiations between the two political parties should not be treated as public spectacles, arguing that sensitive political engagements required seriousness and room for meaningful discussions away from the glare of television cameras.
The remarks come amid continued political debate over the nature of cooperation between ODM and UDA, particularly the terms, commitments and possible formal arrangements that could emerge from their engagement.
The ODM leader also reiterated that the full implementation of the 10-point agenda remained a fundamental and non-negotiable pillar of the party’s engagement with UDA.
He stressed that ODM’s commitment to the agenda was absolute, signalling that the party would continue to push for the fulfilment of agreed national priorities.
The 10-point agenda has been central to discussions on addressing key governance and development concerns, with its implementation expected to remain an important consideration in determining the future of cooperation between the political formations.
In a pointed message to those seeking to influence ODM’s position from outside, the leader urged them to focus instead on the challenges confronting the country.
He maintained that the party’s leadership was capable of safeguarding its interests and determining the terms of its political engagements without unsolicited advice from outsiders.
His statement signals ODM’s determination to retain control of its negotiations with UDA as questions persist over the future of their political relationship.
