Oburu Odinga, the Siaya senator and leader of Kenya’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has made a strong statement about his role in the party’s plans for the 2027 presidential election. He said he is the one running for president on an ODM ticket.
In his words: “I am the presidential candidate for ODM in 2027. Any other person who wants to vie for the presidential election on an ODM ticket should look for another party. ODM cannot be sold and is not on sale; it’s too big and expensive for Ruto to afford!”
This comes at a time when ODM is figuring out its future after the death of Raila Odinga in October 2025. Raila, Oburu’s younger brother, had led the party for years and was a major figure in Kenyan politics. He passed away while getting treatment in India.
Oburu points to the ODM party constitution. It says the party leader is the automatic presidential candidate. Since he took over as leader after Raila’s death, some people in the party see him as the natural choice. A few leaders and supporters have backed this idea.
For example, MP Junet Mohamed has said Oburu will decide if ODM fields a candidate or supports President William Ruto again. Activist Kasmuel McOure has also called Oburu the only real candidate if the party runs someone.
But not everyone agrees. The party are split on what to do in 2027. Some want to keep working with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the current broad-based government setup. Others push for ODM to go alone or form new alliances. Oburu has said the party will make a clear decision by the end of 2026. He wants ODM to stay strong and not get pushed aside.
President Ruto and ODM started cooperating after protests and talks in 2024. Several ODM members joined the cabinet. Raila had supported this arrangement before he died. Now, with 2027 coming up, talks about mergers or coalitions are heating up.
Oburu has warned that ODM won’t just hand over its power. He has even said the party might demand big roles, like the deputy president position, in any deal.
Online, people have mixed reactions. Some support Oburu and see it as keeping Raila’s legacy alive. They like the idea of party unity. Others question if it’s fair.
A few have joked about his age or said there should be open primaries to pick the best person. Younger leaders in ODM want more say, and there are worries about family control in the party.
Kenya’s politics often involve big coalitions. In past elections, parties like ODM have teamed up to challenge the government. With Raila gone, ODM has to rebuild its base in places like Nyanza, the Coast, and parts of Nairobi. Oburu has been meeting members across the country to keep everyone together.
As of early 2026, no final choice has been made. Oburu has hinted that ODM could run its own candidate or negotiate a better deal with Ruto. He stresses that the party was built to win power, not stay in opposition forever.
This claim by Oburu adds tension inside ODM. It could lead to more talks or even splits if people feel left out. For now, the party is watching how the government handles issues like the economy and the old agreement with Raila.
The 2027 election is still far off, but moves like this show how Kenyan parties are already positioning themselves. ODM remains one of the biggest opposition groups, even with its ties to the current government. Whatever happens, Oburu’s words have put him at the centre of the discussion.
Many Kenyans follow these developments closely. Elections here can change a lot, and parties like ODM have strong loyal supporters. It will be interesting to see if Oburu sticks to this or if the party chooses a different path by late 2026.
