Kenya’s next political battle should be about putting money in people’s pockets and improving their access to healthcare, education and jobs, ODM party leader Oburu Oginga has said, as he linked the party’s growing ties with UDA to the unfinished political work associated with the late Raila Odinga.
In a statement issued to mark 16 years since the country adopted the 2010 Constitution, Oburu said Kenya had made major steps in securing political freedoms but still faced a bigger challenge of ensuring those gains improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
He described the pursuit of economic freedom as the “Third Struggle”, coming after the fight for independence and the campaign for multiparty democracy.
“A beautiful constitution on paper cannot feed a hungry child. Political democracy without economic dignity is a house built on sand,” Oburu said.
According to the ODM leader, Raila was central to Kenya’s efforts to expand democratic space and reform the country’s political system.
He said the former prime minister took part in the struggle for multiparty democracy and constitutional reforms that eventually resulted in the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.
Oburu said Raila’s political record was also closely tied to the push for devolution, democratic rights and the principle that power ultimately belongs to the people.
“Raila Amolo Odinga fought the first two battles and won,” he said.
Oburu said Raila’s work had brought the country to the doorstep of another major struggle, which he described as the “Third Struggle: The Economic Liberation and rights of our people.”
He said the focus should now shift towards ensuring that constitutional freedoms are matched by better living conditions.
Among the issues he identified were the lack of employment opportunities for young people, the cost of medical care, difficulties in the education sector and the continued burden of poverty.
“This Third Struggle is the final piece of the puzzle. It is the bridge that will make our decades of sacrifice complete,” Oburu said.
The ODM leader said the party intended to preserve Raila’s political ideals by involving younger people while also drawing from the experience of leaders who took part in the country’s earlier political battles.
He said the combination of youthful energy and political experience would be important in pursuing the next phase of Kenya’s political journey.
Oburu also placed ODM’s engagement with UDA within this wider political plan, saying the ongoing discussions with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration were part of a deliberate effort to shape the country’s political future.
“It is with this structural vision in mind that we, as ODM, are engaged in structured coalition negotiations with (UDA-Kenya Kwanza) administration,” Oburu stated.
He said ODM’s methods could change depending on the political circumstances, but the party’s main ambition remained taking control of the government through elections.
“As ODM the strategy to achieve all these freedoms' and rights might change but the goal still remains the same, which is to form the next government,” he said.
Oburu went further to express confidence in the electoral strength of the two sides, saying their combined numbers would give them an advantage in the 2027 General Election.
“Our numbers (ODM-UDA) combined we are assured to form the next government come August 2027 general elections through democratic process,” he said.
The remarks give a political dimension to the ODM-UDA engagement, with Oburu presenting the possible alliance not only as an electoral arrangement but also as a vehicle for pursuing what he considers the next stage of Kenya’s liberation.
He said the country must ensure that the sacrifices made during previous political struggles eventually translate into meaningful economic gains for citizens.
Oburu also used the anniversary of the Constitution to reaffirm ODM’s support for democratic politics and constitutional rule.
He called for the protection of institutions established under the Constitution, including an independent Judiciary, and recalled Raila’s position that “no single individual nor interest is greater than this country”.
The ODM leader further addressed recent political violence in Homa Bay, condemning the incidents and making it clear that the party did not support “goonism in any form.”
He urged the police to investigate the violence and ensure that those behind it are held accountable.
As the country marks 16 years of the 2010 Constitution, Oburu said the gains made through political reforms should be protected while the country works towards economic change.
He argued that constitutional rights and political democracy would not be enough unless they were accompanied by improvements in the daily lives of Kenyans.