In a move that would have been unthinkable just a year ago, the upper echelons of Luo Nyanza’s leadership have thrown their full weight behind Oburu Oginga, granting him the exclusive mandate to negotiate a coalition pact with President William Ruto’s UDA.

This endorsement marks the official end of the "resistance" era. With Raila gone, the region’s power brokers are choosing the path of "broad-based government" to secure development, effectively isolating hardliners who still cling to the old script of opposition. The decision was reached after a high-stakes meeting in Kilifi, where the ODM Central Management Committee resolved to formalize the marriage with UDA.

The 10-Point Ultimatum

The backing comes with conditions. The leaders have drafted a 10-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that Ruto must honor. "We are not entering this blind," said a senior MP who attended the closed-door session. "We want tangible projects—roads, industries, and appointments. The days of blind loyalty are over."

The urgency is driven by the looming 2027 polls. With the deadline for coalition agreements approaching, Oburu is under pressure to deliver a deal that appeases the base while securing his own position as the region’s kingpin. The endorsement gives him the leverage he needs to sit across from Ruto as an equal.

• The Mandate: Oburu is now the sole negotiator, cutting out rival centers of power like John Mbadi and James Orengo.
• The Strategy: Consolidate the Luo vote into a bargaining bloc to sell to the highest bidder—currently President Ruto.
• The Opposition: Youthful MPs led by Babu Owino have termed the move a "betrayal of the revolution," vowing to chart a separate path.

Survival of the Fittest

For the Luo leaders, this is a matter of political survival. They have seen the benefits reaped by regions inside government and are tired of the "cold" of opposition. By backing Oburu, they are betting that the Oginga name still holds enough magic to deliver the people to Ruto’s doorstep.

"We are not surrendering; we are strategizing," said Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi. "The future belongs to those who can adapt. We are moving from the streets to the statehouse."