The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has reaffirmed its commitment to its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), pledging to work closely with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration to support the broad-based government through the 2027 General Election.
Despite ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna’s earlier declaration that the “ODM-UDA partnership 2027” was “dead” due to unmet promises, a Central Committee meeting chaired by Raila Odinga on July 29 resolved to form a technical team to expedite the MoU’s 10-point agenda.
This decision, read by Sifuna himself, underscores ODM’s intent to stabilise Kenya and address public concerns through democratic means, even as internal rifts and public doubts persist.
The MoU, signed on March 7, 2025, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, aimed to address socio-economic challenges, protect protest rights, and curb extrajudicial killings following the 2024 Gen Z protests. ODM’s renewed commitment comes after Sifuna’s July 22 Citizen TV interview, where he cited the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody as evidence of the government’s failure to honour the agreement.
“The MoU was about preserving lives, but our people are still being killed,” Sifuna said, initially refusing to join a team reviewing its implementation.
However, the Central Committee’s decision signals a unified stance, with Sifuna announcing the formation of a technical team to work with UDA counterparts, focusing on issues like devolution and youth empowerment.
Raila Odinga, addressing delegates in Kakamega on July 25, defended Sifuna’s right to dissent, emphasising ODM’s democratic ethos. “If Sifuna speaks, he has the right. That’s democracy,” Raila said, noting that Sifuna helped draft the MoU but adding that its implementation, including compensation for protest victims, remains incomplete.
Despite this, ODM leaders like Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed stressed that only Raila can declare the MoU’s status, with Wanga asserting, “We are in the broad-based government until 2027.”
This contrasts with Sifuna’s earlier call for Ruto to step down and back Raila in 2027, highlighting tensions within ODM over aligning with Kenya Kwanza.
The partnership has seen ODM secure key government roles, with John Mbadi as National Treasury CS, Ali Hassan Joho in Mining, Opiyo Wandayi in Energy, and Wycliffe Oparanya in Cooperatives.
Critics like Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma have accused Sifuna of undermining party unity by attacking these appointees, with Kaluma warning him to “shape up or ship out.” Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei dismissed Sifuna’s critiques as “sour grapes” over missed cabinet opportunities, claiming the ODM-UDA pact will extend beyond 2027.
Sifuna, however, clarified that these appointments were individual choices, not party endorsed, and maintained his willingness to resign if ODM formally backs Ruto’s re-election.
" ODM fully supports the broad based Government "- Sen Edwin Sifuna! pic.twitter.com/bQBSZV1GFq
— The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) July 29, 2025
Supporter posted, “ODM-UDA partnership 2027 is a sellout—Sifuna was right to call it dead!” Another countered, “Sifuna’s backtracking shows ODM’s stuck with Ruto for now.”
The partnership’s focus on devolution, with ODM demanding unbundled county functions and resources, aligns with Kenya’s 47 governors’ push for equitable funding.
The Star reported that 23.7 million Kenyans are enrolled in TaifaCare, and 720,000 have registered for Boma Yangu housing, achievements Ruto touts as shared successes with ODM. Yet, ongoing police brutality, like Ojwang’s death, fuels doubt about the MoU’s impact.
As ODM prepares for its October 2025 National Delegates Convention to elect leaders, the party’s grassroots elections and “ODM at 20” celebrations aim to rally support.
Raila’s nationwide consultation tour, starting in Kakamega, seeks to mend rifts and energise the base. Sifuna’s role remains pivotal, with Western Kenya leaders like Godfrey Osotsi defending him as a “star” against calls for his ouster.
The ODM-UDA partnership’s success hinges on implementing the MoU’s promises, particularly on protest rights and economic reforms, as Kenya navigates a polarised political landscape ahead of 2027.
With Sifuna’s reluctant alignment, ODM’s commitment to the broad-based government signals a pragmatic, if uneasy, alliance to shape Kenya’s future.
