“I Will Be ODM’s Presidential Candidate In 2027!” – Oburu Odinga Declares
Oburu Oginga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has indicated that he will be the party’s presidential candidate if the ODM decides to run in the 2027 general election on its own.
According to Oburu, the ODM constitution states that if the party chooses to go it alone, the party leader automatically becomes the presidential candidate.
“If we are going it alone, I want to make it absolutely clear that our constitution already has a presidential candidate for our party,” Oburu said.
“That presidential candidate is clearly stated in the constitution of our party, and it is the party leader. I am the party leader speaking.”
Oburu Draws The Line:
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) January 1, 2026
Oburu says he will fly ODM presidential flag in 2027
Oburu: I am the ODM party presidential candidate
Oburu: Those eyeing ODM presidential ticket are misplaced
Oburu: ODM party is too big to be sold to anybody#CitizenTonight pic.twitter.com/5QPtuwYpq2
Adding, ” I am the presidential candidate for ODM if ODM decides that it goes it alone. Anybody who is preparing himself to go for the presidential election in ODM is misplaced.”
He went on, “If they want to go for presidential candidacy, they should look for another party. This particular party’s presidential candidacy is already decided by its own constitution.”
In a New Year’s address to Kenyans, Oburu denied that ODM had been diminished or “sold” to other political groupings, saying that the party remains robust, grassroots-based, and firmly intact ahead of 2027.
He described 2026 as a watershed moment for the party, stating that ODM will make a definitive decision on whether to run independently in the next election or form a coalition with other parties before the year ends.
“As we move forward, we are going to decide whether we go it alone or we go with other parties. If we decide to go it alone, we are there,” he said.
“Anybody who is saying ODM is sold to other parties is daydreaming. ODM is strong, it is kicking, it is up, and it is not about to be sold.”
Adding, “It will never be sold. If it were to be sold, I do not know at what price.”
Oburu used the talk to reflect on 2025, calling it a year of both growth and loss.
Party Leader @DrOburu_O says he will vie for the Presidency against President @WilliamsRuto in the 2027 general election should the party decide to field a candidate. He says the party constitution is clear on who should be the presidential candidate and urged anyone else in the…
— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) January 1, 2026
He paid respect to the late ODM party leader Raila Odinga, describing him as not only a national figure but also his younger brother, and stated that his death had had a profound impact on the party and the country.
He stated that, despite the challenges, ODM had made considerable progress and remained unified following Raila’s death.
ALSO READ:
- Parliament Passes VAT Bill For Petroleum, Slashes It To 8%
- Oburu’s ODM Blasts UDA Over Infiltrating ‘Their’ Zone, Demands Respect
- Safaricom Issues Statement After MyOneApp’s Negative Feedback
- IEBC Announces 16 Additional Diaspora Voting Countries
- EXPLAINER: KRA’s New 3-Step Filing Process For Kenyans; How It Works
Oburu reaffirmed that the party is currently in a broad-based arrangement with the Kenya Kwanza government, but clarified that the arrangement does not amount to a coalition.
“We are not fully integrated into the government. We are just in a broad-based arrangement, not even a coalition,” he said.
The ODM party leader added that ODM is closely monitoring the implementation of the 10-point agenda signed between Raila Odinga and President William Ruto.
He urged ODM members to remain united, focused, and committed to the party’s principles, saying the decisions made in the coming year would shape the party’s future going into the 2027 polls.
“I Will Be ODM’s Presidential Candidate In 2027!” – Oburu Odinga Declares
