The Orange Democratic Movement has set tough conditions ahead of any pre-election coalition talks with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance.

ODM is demanding the release of billions of shillings it says the government owes it. Speaking during a high-level party retreat in Mombasa, ODM deputy party leader Simba Arati said no negotiations would take place unless the National Treasury settles outstanding funds due under the Political Parties Fund.

The meeting, being held at Whitesands Hotel, has brought together over 70 MPs, governors, cabinet secretaries and members of the party’s National Executive Council as ODM charts its political path ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“We are saying one thing here, the money that the government owes us should be given to our party. We will not have any talks with the UDA. MPs you are here, you are the people who make the National Budget, the government has our money, and that cash is what we want to be given. We need that cash to run our party as we move forward, we will not talk about anything else,” Arati said.

ODM claims the government, through the National Treasury, owes it approximately Sh12 billion in unpaid allocations from the Political Parties Fund, an amount the party says has accumulated over several years.

Party officials argue that the delays have severely constrained their operations, particularly at the grassroots level, where mobilisation efforts require sustained funding.

The Political Parties Fund, established under the Political Parties Act, 2011, allocates 0.3 per cent of the national government’s annual revenue to eligible political parties.

The fund is administered by the Registrar of Political Parties and is intended to support party activities, strengthen democratic processes and enhance political competition.

ODM leaders have accused the government of deliberately withholding the funds as a strategy to weaken opposition parties and limit their effectiveness.

The party previously sought legal redress over the delayed disbursements, insisting that timely funding is critical to maintaining a level political playing field.

The hard-line stance signals a widening rift between ODM and the ruling coalition, even as discussions around possible political realignments ahead of 2027 start to take shape.

The latest demand for funds could likely complicate any rapprochement between the two sides, particularly if the standoff escalates. 

The Mombasa retreat is part of ODM’s broader activation drive aimed at strengthening its internal structures and expanding its grassroots reach. It also comes at a time when the party is grappling with internal divisions over its future direction, including whether to adopt a more cooperative or confrontational approach toward the government.

As the meeting enters its second day, the issue of unpaid funds appears to have taken centre stage, with leaders signalling that financial independence will be a key factor in shaping ODM’s political strategy. The Star