What You Need to Know
Oburu Oginga, leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has organized a three-day retreat at the Coast to address internal divisions within the party. The meeting will involve key party members, including the National Executive Council and Governors, as they prepare for upcoming coalition negotiations with UDA amid ongoing tensions.
Africa-Press – Kenya. Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Oginga has convened a three-day weekend retreat at the Coast amidst interbank divisions pitting several camps.
The meeting is set to commence on Sunday and end on Tuesday, and will bring together the party’s National Executive Council (NEC), Parliamentary Group and Governors.
“On behalf of the NEC of the Party, I wish to invite you to attend the party’s Joint Retreat bringing together the NEC, the Council of Governors and PG. The retreat is scheduled to take place from Sunday, May 3, 2026, to Tuesday, May 5, 2026,” the invite states.
The letter signed by ODM Acting Executive Director Joshua Kawino, dated April 21, adds, “The program will commence on Sunday afternoon and conclude on Tuesday afternoon.”
The retreat comes at a time the party has witnessed public altercations between party members who have differed on key issues, among them a demand for zoning as a condition for a planned UDA-ODM coalition talks.
The party has also been divided into two main factions: the Linda Ground team under Oburu and the Linda Mwananchi group led by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.
ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga insists the party will enter into pre-election pact negotiations with UDA as an equal partner, insisting on a 50/50 power-sharing framework.
She explained that discussions are yet to formally begin, with the party currently focused on preparations ahead of the May 27 deadline for submitting agreements to the Registrar of Political Parties.
“According to the pre-election pact that should be presented to the Registrar of Political Parties on May 27, we still have time. We shall prepare, and when the right time comes, we shall begin the talks. We shall start with the technical bit, then political, but what we know is that we shall talk and understand each other,” Governor Wanga said.
Last week, President William Ruto and Oburu held a joint meeting of party officials as they sought to calm the tension that has gripped the Broad-Based Government, threatening to collapse the alliance even before it was negotiated and agreed upon.
A joint statement after the meeting said the committee will bring together selected Cabinet Secretaries, party leadership, and Majority and Minority leaders in Parliament to align government business.
The team will be tasked with coordinating and synchronising both legislative and executive agendas to ensure coherence, efficiency and effective service delivery.
“The two-party leaders agreed to establish a Broad-Based Management Committee comprising party leaders, selected Cabinet Ministers, and the Majority and Minority Leaders in Parliament,” the statement read.
ODM is also pushing for a running mate slot as a condition for supporting Ruto’s re-election next year.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has been a significant political force in Kenya since its formation in 2005. Over the years, the party has faced various internal conflicts and divisions, particularly during election cycles. Recently, tensions have escalated within ODM as factions emerge over coalition strategies and leadership roles, reflecting broader challenges in Kenyan politics as parties navigate alliances and electoral strategies. The upcoming retreat aims to unify the party ahead of critical negotiations with UDA, highlighting the ongoing struggle for power and influence within the political landscape.
