NAIROBI – The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will not settle for any political position lower than the Deputy President's seat in the 2027 General Election, interim party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga has declared. In a candid and wide-ranging exclusive interview with NTV and the Daily Nation on Thursday, October 30, 2025, the Siaya Senator laid out a firm negotiating position that redefines the party's future in Kenya's post-Raila Odinga political landscape. [3]

“If we have to go for a lower position, it must not be lower than number two (deputy president) in any formation. That is my take. We should not take less than that,” Dr. Oginga stated emphatically. [3, 15] This declaration serves as the first major shot in the 2027 succession race, signaling that ODM intends to leverage its significant political base to secure a powerful executive role. Dr. Oginga asserted that his late brother, Raila Odinga, was explicit that the party should never return to the opposition. [3, 9]

Party Strengthening and Internal Unity

Before any coalition talks, Dr. Oginga stressed that the party's immediate priority is to consolidate its grassroots structures. “Nobody will respect you or negotiate with you if you are a weak party. Our emphasis is on strengthening our party, ODM, so that we can negotiate for the top position in the land,” he explained. [13, 15] This internal focus comes as the party is conducting county-level delegate elections, a process aimed at reorganizing its leadership ahead of a national conference. [2, 5] The elections, however, have faced logistical challenges, with polls being postponed in several counties, including Busia, Nairobi, Migori, Homa Bay, and Kisumu. [2]

Addressing the simmering tensions within the party, particularly the perceived generational rift, Dr. Oginga sought to project an image of stability. [3] He has personally reached out to quell anxieties, notably holding a meeting on Thursday, October 30, with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who had expressed fears of being sidelined in the 2027 Nairobi gubernatorial race. [10] Dr. Oginga publicly assured the legislator of a fair nomination process, stating, “If he clinches the ODM nominations for Nairobi, he will carry our flag. He should not run away from the party based on assumptions.” [8, 10]

Navigating the 'Broad-Based Government'

Dr. Oginga clarified ODM's current relationship with President William Ruto's administration, confirming its participation is governed by a 10-point memorandum of understanding signed with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in March 2025. [3] He maintained this agreement is focused on implementing specific development issues and does not bind ODM to a 2027 political pact. [3] This position was echoed by ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, who stated on November 1, 2025, that the arrangement is “not a merger or dissolution pact” and that ODM will maintain its distinct identity. [16]

Despite this, Dr. Oginga's recent remarks suggesting President Ruto's 2027 re-election is “automatic” have stirred controversy, particularly among the party's youth wing who view it as a betrayal of Raila Odinga's legacy. [12] However, Dr. Oginga maintains that the party's official position on 2027 has not yet been decided, a stance he says is correctly articulated by SG Sifuna. [3]

Succession and the Future

Appointed as acting leader by the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) following his brother's passing, Dr. Oginga has pushed back against claims that ODM is a family entity. [3, 7] He has also indicated that he views his role as transitional, suggesting that the party's future leadership should emerge from a younger generation. “The way I am seeing it, Raila's peers should go with him. Personally I prefer that other leaders who were around Raila take over from him but not us his age mates,” he stated in a television interview on October 28, 2025. [8] He has likened the emergence of a new leader to mushrooms that grow naturally overnight. [7, 9]

As ODM navigates this critical transition, Dr. Oginga's leadership appears focused on a dual strategy: reinforcing the party's internal structures while simultaneously making bold demands on the national stage. His insistence on the deputy presidency as a minimum requirement sets a high-stakes baseline for any future political negotiations, ensuring ODM remains a decisive player in the journey towards 2027. [9, 13]