Nairobi — ODM to Constitute Technical Task Force to Fast‑Track MoU Implementation with UDA

In a strategic recalibration that reinforces its support for Kenya Kwanza’s agenda, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has announced the formation of a technical team charged with accelerating the implementation of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

What the Task Force Will Do

OD​M Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, addressing a press briefing on 29 July 2025, emphasized that the absence of a joint implementation body had been the key obstacle to realising the MoU’s 10-point agenda.(

Under the plan, a 10-member technical committee drawn from ODM leadership will work alongside UDA counterparts to ensure concrete action on:

• Full enactment of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report,

• Protection of youth livelihoods,

• Enforcement of the right to peaceful assembly,

• Strengthening the rule of law, and curbing public resource wastage and corruption.

 A Widening Policy Consensus

While ODM leader Raila Odinga fully backed the technical task force initiative, the move comes amid internal friction around the MoU, particularly following Sifuna’s earlier declaration that the agreement was “dead” due to unfulfilled commitments—especially regarding police brutality cases.([turn0search1] )

Raila’s public endorsement of the pact and his recognition of Sifuna’s role clarify that both unity and dissent coexist within ODM’s current dynamics. The Central Committee’s resolution aims to reassert coherence and purpose under the broad-based government arrangement.

Strategic Implications

 Challenges Ahead

• Operational coordination risks: Ensuring ODM and UDA counterparts function cohesively and transparently will be critical.

• Internal dissent management: Aligning divergent views within ODM—especially given Sifuna’s earlier repudiation—may test leadership cohesion.

• Public delivery expectations: Citizens are watching for tangible outcomes, not just institutional agreements.

 Final Word

With the launch of this task force, ODM is signaling enhanced political discipline and national responsibility. While the MoU’s journey has been rocky, the move to create a dedicated technical implementation team indicates a willingness to move beyond rhetoric to measurable action—particularly on key reform areas such as devolved dialogue, protest rights, youth empowerment, and state accountability.