The roadmap to a 2027 coalition between President William Ruto’s UDA and Raila Odinga’s ODM is taking shape, but not everyone is invited to the high table. Emerging reports suggest a tactical alliance between the President and ODM patriarch Oburu Oginga is systematically isolating the party’s radical wing, led by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.

Sources privy to the ongoing "broad-based" government talks reveal that Sifuna’s Nairobi faction—which has remained hostile to the President—is being sidelined in favor of "cooperation-friendly" leaders. The endgame is to craft a seamless pre-election pact that secures Nyanza’s support for Ruto’s second term while effectively neutering the aggressive opposition within ODM.

The "Sifuna Problem"

"Sifuna is playing 2022 politics in 2026," a senior UDA strategist confided. "Mzee Oburu understands that the path to the presidency for the Luo community lies in cooperation, not confrontation. Sifuna is becoming an inconvenience to the bigger picture."

• The Deal: It is rumored that the pact involves a prime ministerial slot for an ODM candidate (endorsed by Oburu) in exchange for not fielding a presidential candidate against Ruto. This directly contradicts the demands of the ODM County Chairs for a presidential ticket.
• Rebel Without a Cause? Sifuna, sensing the trap, has intensified his attacks on the government, branding the deal a "betrayal of the people." However, with the party machinery slowly turning against him, the charismatic SG risks being left shouting in the wilderness.

As the "Handshake 2.0" solidifies, the ODM house is set for a ruthless purge, with loyalty to the deal becoming the only currency that matters.