ODM’s Oburu Responds To Reports Of Suspending Coalition Talks With UDA
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Oburu Odinga, has dismissed reports suggesting that the party has suspended coalition talks with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Speaking in Kisumu on Friday, April 17, 2026, Oburu clarified that while there is goodwill between ODM and UDA, no formal negotiations have even begun.
Oburu termed the allegations purporting that ODM had suspended talks with UDA as baseless and misleading, noting that the two parties had not even formed negotiating teams.
“I am in a good relationship with the president, who is the leader of UDA. We cannot stop what has started. Our negotiations with UDA have not started. We have not even formed the negotiating teams,” Oburu said.
The clarification follows widespread reports purporting that ODM’s Central Committee had immediately halted talks with UDA over alleged disagreements.
“ODM Never Said that We Suspended our talks With UDA!!”Oburu Odinga Cries that Talks are Yet to Start! pic.twitter.com/1hQngHV018
— Boniface (@kilundeezy) April 18, 2026
On the issue of political zoning, Oburu criticised a section of the UDA leadership for what he described as persistent attempts to interfere with ODM’s strongholds.
He called on the UDA to keep off ODM strongholds, noting that his party is keen to avoid internal competition with potential partners ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
“We do not want to compete with people we are going into partnership with. But President Ruto should discipline some of the officials of his party,” Oburu demanded.
During the presser, the ODM leader also addressed internal party dynamics, particularly speculation about potential presidential aspirants within the party.
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Oburu firmly dismissed such ambitions, reiterating that ODM’s constitution clearly designates its party leader as the presidential candidate should the party decide to field a presidential candidate.
“I want to make it absolutely clear that our constitution already has a presidential candidate for our party, and that presidential candidate is clearly stated in the constitution of our party, and it is the party leader,” he said.
Adding, “I am the presidential candidate for ODM if ODM decides to go alone.
“So, anybody planning to run for the presidency in ODM, I think that is misplaced. If they want to run for the presidency, they should look for another party.”
ODM’s Oburu Responds To Reports Of Suspending Coalition Talks With UDA
