The Orange Democratic Movement Parliamentary Group has thrown its weight behind resolutions passed by the party’s top organs and given the green light for political talks with like-minded parties, beginning with the United Democratic Alliance, in a move that could reshape alliances ahead of the next election.
Addressing the media in Nairobi on Tuesday, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed said the joint sitting of ODM Senators and Members of the National Assembly unanimously backed decisions made earlier by the National Executive Committee and the Central Committee.
The meeting was chaired by party leader Oburu Oginga and attended by senior officials.
Junet said members held lengthy discussions before reaching their position.
He told journalists that lawmakers were first briefed by the party’s executive director on the outcomes of recent meetings of the two organs.
“The Parliamentary Group meeting has resolved that they have endorsed the decision of the National Executive Committee of the party and the Central Committee,” Junet said.
He confirmed that the party would now pursue structured engagement with other political formations, starting with UDA, but made it clear that ODM’s presence in Parliament would not be part of any bargain.
“Our parliamentary numbers are not negotiable. We can negotiate on anything, but not on our parliamentary strength,” he stated.
Junet said the party is determined to defend all its current seats and grow its representation in the next general election, describing the numerical strength of ODM in Parliament as a key pillar of its political standing.
The Parliamentary Group also supported a proposal to convene a National Delegates Conference on March 27. He said the required 21-day notice would be issued in line with the law.
In addition, members agreed to receive a report on the implementation of the 10-Point Agenda on March 10 during a broad-based parliamentary meeting at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre bringing together ODM and Kenya Kwanza legislators.
Junet identified compensation for victims of the 2017 post-election violence and increased funding for devolved units as among the major issues under the agenda.
He said there were calls for funds meant to compensate victims to be included in the supplementary budget before Parliament.
However, signs of internal strain also emerged. In a separate statement, ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi, who attended the meeting, admitted that the party is facing serious internal divisions.
He reminded members of Raila Odinga’s rallying call — “Who told you?” — urging unity at what he described as a critical time for the party.
Osotsi challenged ODM to rethink its political strategy, saying the party must “seriously consider fielding a presidential candidate instead of positioning ourselves for the lesser role of Deputy President.”
He also questioned whether UDA is committed to fully implementing the 10-point agreement signed last March, noting that its deadline lapses on March 7, 2026.
Further, Osotsi called for an urgent review of the decision to remove Edwin Sifuna as Secretary General.
He cautioned that pushing aside leaders who hold different views would only widen cracks within the party.
The developments point to a party seeking to balance external negotiations with internal cohesion as it charts its path toward the next election cycle
