ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has firmly stated that there is no coalition agreement between his party and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Speaking on Citizen TV, Sifuna reiterated that ODM party leader Raila Odinga has already made his position clear on the matter. He emphasized that once a party loses popularity, no matter how many other parties they bring together, they will still lose in elections.
Sifuna cited the case of Azimio in 2022, which included a coalition of 26 parties but still lost to the Kenya Kwanza coalition. “I can speak authoritatively, there is no agreement between ODM and UDA about 2027. If you are unpopular, it doesn’t matter how many leaders you bring around you; we will lose the election,” Sifuna said.
He further noted that ODM and UDA, despite their current cooperation, have clear instructions to retain ODM’s identity. The Orange party’s SG stressed that ODM has not abandoned its quest for political power, as doing so would mean dissolving the party.
“If you want to know the position of the party on coalition matters, there’s only one voice you listen to. The constitution of the party places that responsibility on the party leader. Listen to what Raila Odinga is saying,” Sifuna said.
He added that Odinga has given clear instructions that ODM must retain its identity and that the party has not given up its aim to acquire power. “Political parties exist for the purpose of winning power through democratic means,” Sifuna explained.
Regarding members of ODM who have spoken about a potential coalition with UDA, Sifuna said they are free to express their opinions as part of their right to free speech. However, he suggested that some may be trying to please the Kenya Kwanza government.
“Every single time since ODM was formed—we’re celebrating 20 years this year—every election, ODM has run a presidential candidate, and that will not change,” Sifuna added.
He concluded by reiterating that colleagues within ODM, including some in Parliament and outside, have the freedom to air their views.
