A faction of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) led by Oburu Odinga has dismissed claims that the party’s broad-based arrangement with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) will lapse on March 7.
Speaking during the Linda Ground Rally in Suna East, Migori County, on Sunday, March 1, Oburu clarified that March 7 will mark the first anniversary of the cooperation agreement signed between the two parties in 2025 – not the end of the relationship as suggested by some party members.
“There are those who allege that by March 7, the relationship between UDA and ODM is coming to an end. That’s not true,” Oburu said. He explained that the date will instead be used to table and deliberate on an interim report evaluating progress made under the 10-point agenda agreed upon by the two parties.
The agreement, signed on March 7, 2025, by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and President Ruto, laid out a framework for broad-based governance and implementation of reforms proposed by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO).
However, internal tensions persist within ODM. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has argued that the memorandum of understanding provided a one-year implementation window and claimed little progress has been made. His stance has been echoed by leaders aligned with the Linda Wananchi faction, including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and EALA MP Winnie Odinga, who have expressed reservations about future collaboration with UDA.
ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga backed Oburu’s position, stating that implementation is underway, including provisions for compensation of post-election protest victims. She termed claims of an imminent split as misleading, affirming that the party will review progress on March 7 as it charts its path toward the 2027 General Election.