ODM party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga addresses residents in Magarini to rally behind party candidate Harrison Kombe on November 2, 2025. Photo/courtesy
Addressing Kenyans on Wednesday, December 31, Dr. Oburu said ODM will remain in the broad-based arrangement with the Kenya Kwanza government until 2027, as agreed by his brother, the late Raila Odinga.
He, however, noted that the decision on whether the party will field a candidate or enter into a coalition with other parties will be made this year.
"Before the end of the year, our party will have known whether we're going it alone or going into a collision with other parties and we shall have by that time known whom we're going with."
According to Oburu, the ODM constitution dictates that the party leader is the suitable candidate for the presidency, meaning he would be the flag bearer should the party decide to seek the top office.
"If we're going it alone, I want to make it clear that our Constitution has the presidential candidate for our party and it is the party leader. I am the presidential candidate for ODM if the party decides to go it alone," he pointed out.
"Anybody who is preparing himself to go for presidential elections in ODM, I think is misplaced. If they want to go for the presidency, they should look for another party."
Further, the ODM leader reiterated that political slogans such as “one-term” (or ‘wantam’) and “two-term” (or ‘tutam’) should be eliminated as the party works to strengthen itself in the lead-up to the 2027 polls.
He added that ODM will take all necessary measures to safeguard its unity.
"We are urging our party to remain united, focused and steadfast in their pursuit of the peoples' interests," Oburu remarked.
"Those talking of one-term or two-term, that is not our party policy, ours is to work in unity, strengthen our party and work in this broad-based arrangement until 2027." By Brian Kimani, Citizen Digital