Orange Democratic Movement party leader Oburu Oginga has declared that the party is gearing up for a fresh political phase built on unity, discipline and early coalition talks, as it sets its sights on winning power in the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Friday during the SDC in Nairobi, Oburu said ODM remains strong and united despite claims of internal cracks, stressing that the party is still national in outlook and ready to compete for leadership.
He thanked delegates for handing him the top seat, describing it as a weighty responsibility.
“I also want to take this opportunity to thank all members for the confidence they have conferred on me by electing me as the party leader of this great party,” he said.
“It is not a small thing, I’m now the second party leader of ODM. And ODM is 20 years old, one of the most resilient parties ever in the history of this country.”
Oburu described ODM as “the largest and the biggest party south of Sahara and north of River Limpopo,” saying it has the strength to take power but must act wisely.
“It is difficult for any party in this country to go it alone,” he said, noting that delegates had given him authority to begin negotiations with like-minded parties.
“That is why you have also given me another authority to start negotiating with other like-minded parties(Kenya Kwanza) and I will do it as instructed by you, it is not a one-man job.”
He explained that any talks will not be driven by one person but will involve party organs and technical teams to shape the process ahead of the next General Election.
Looking back, Oburu revisited the events that led to the formation of ODM, pointing to past disagreements with former President Mwai Kibaki over governance issues.
He said the push for devolution and a parliamentary system formed the backbone of the party’s ideals.
“These were the two cardinal principles of negotiation with our party,” he said.
He also recalled the referendum period that shaped ODM’s identity.
“When it was subjected to a referendum, our team was given the symbol of the orange,” he said.
On party unity, Oburu dismissed claims of exclusion, saying ODM will focus on bringing more people on board rather than pushing them out.
“We are not going to be a party of expelling people, we are going to be a party of including people and asking them to come in,” he said.
He at the same time underlined the need for order within the party, saying members must respect decisions reached through internal processes.
“One of the cardinal principles of democracy is that the minority will have their say and the majority will have their way,” he said.
He warned leaders against opposing decisions they had taken part in.
“You cannot be party leader, preside over a meeting and then when you come out, start attacking it,” he said. “If you do that you don’t deserve to be in that position.”
Oburu also rejected claims that ODM’s decisions are influenced by ethnicity, saying the party represents all communities.
“ODM is a national party, we cannot expel anybody because of his tribe,” he said.
“Our party cannot do anything like that, we have all tribes represented here.”
On the current political setup, he confirmed that ODM will remain part of the broad-based arrangement while preparing for the next election cycle.
“We came through the window in this broad-based government and we are going to continue to be there up to 2027,” he said.
He stressed that planning must begin early, including talks with the ruling side.
“We cannot just sit back and wait for 2027, we have to start those negotiations early,” he said.
Oburu dismissed claims that the party has been influenced or compromised.
“ODM is bought, bought by who? At my age, can somebody buy me?” he said.
He ended by making it clear that ODM’s mission is to win power in order to implement its agenda.
“ODM is in power and we are not ashamed to say we want power,” he said.
“Without power, you cannot do any policy, you cannot serve the people.” “Every party is formed to seek power, ODM power.”
