Speaking on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology during a widows’ empowerment fundraiser, Oburu said ODM’s engagement with the ruling coalition was deliberate and aimed at ensuring regions aligned to the party benefit from national development.
He said ODM was already part of the current broad-based government and would not hesitate to extend that cooperation beyond the next election if the ruling administration continued to treat the party and its support base fairly.
“We as ODM are working closely with the UDA party under a broad-based government. This arrangement was guided by my brother, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga,” Oburu said.
Oburu noted that while the agreement currently runs until 2027, the party’s leadership would evaluate the political environment and development outcomes before deciding on the next steps.
“Now the responsibility of steering the party is in my hands. We shall continue engaging beyond 2027 depending on how the regime treats us as partners,” he added.
The ODM leader said the party was not prepared to gamble with the future of its supporters by remaining outside government, arguing that political influence is essential for securing development.
According to Oburu, ODM’s priority is to ensure that communities where the party enjoys strong support are represented at the highest levels of decision-making.
“We are not ready to take chances with the lives of Kenyans in 2027. ODM must be part of the next government. Those who think otherwise should take that to the bank,” he said.
He further revealed that renewed talks between ODM and UDA would focus on securing a bigger share of leadership positions in the next administration.
“As we resume consultations, we will push for bigger slots in the next government. These talks will bring together those who support the president and even leaders with dissenting views,” Oburu said.
Oburu dismissed internal doubts about his authority, insisting that he was firmly in control of the party and would make binding decisions on its political direction.
“I am the party leader of ODM. Anyone who doubts that should know I am fully in charge, and decisions made under my leadership will stand,” he said.
He added that ODM remains a national party and that its negotiations would consider the interests of all regions where it commands support.
“ODM is a party of all Kenyans. As we negotiate, we will always keep in mind the regions that have stood with us over the years,” he said.
Oburu also praised President Ruto for what he described as a more inclusive approach to development, particularly in the Nyanza region, which he said had been sidelined by previous administrations.
He credited the president for resisting divisive politics and ensuring that resources were distributed more equitably.
“The current regime means well for our people. President Ruto ignored divisive narratives and ensured that Nyanza received its rightful share of development,” Oburu said.
He urged the president to maintain the momentum so that residents could feel fully included in government.
“We want to ask the president to continue releasing our share so that our people can truly feel they are part of this government,” he added.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, who also spoke at the event, supported Oburu’s position, saying political participation at the executive level was critical for regional development.
Wandayi said communities without strong representation at the negotiation table often miss out on key development opportunities.
“Being in the executive is sweet. If nobody bargains for you, you are doomed as a community,” Wandayi said.
He argued that Nyanza’s historical development challenges were not due to a lack of effort by its people, but because the region lacked sufficient leverage in previous governments.
“We have had MPs, senators, and MCAs, but development still stagnated because there was no strong voice pushing our agenda at the national level,” he said.
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