Western Leaders Urge Unconditional ODM-UDA Talks for 2027

Negotiations toward a possible ODM–UDA alliance ahead of the 2027 General Election should proceed without preconditions tied to President William Ruto’s re-election, a lobby backing his second-term bid in Western Kenya has said. The lobby, led by Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka as regional coordinator and Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula as his deputy, said talks between the two parties should be conducted openly and unconditionally. However, they maintained the question of presidential candidature remains non-negotiable. Lusaka expressed optimism that such negotiations would promote national unity and enable President Ruto to concentrate on implementing his development agenda. He said inclusive political engagement is essential to strengthening cohesion and accelerating national development. Savula said the anticipated talks are consistent with the objectives of the “Western Ruto Two Term” brigade, which seeks to consolidate Western Kenya’s support for President Ruto in 2027. He argued that, as currently constituted, the opposition faces significant challenges in mounting a competitive bid against the incumbent. The two leaders spoke on Saturday during the burial of Bramuel Ekatiani at Machakusi village in Teso South, Busia county. Ekatiani was the father of Busia governor aspirant Vincent Sidai. Several leaders attended the funeral, including Nominated Senator Consolata Wabwire, Teso MP Mary Emase and Kiminini MP Kakai Bisau. Their remarks coincided with ODM’s intensified activities in Western, as party leader Oburu Oginga began his first tour of the region under an initiative dubbed Linda Ground, aimed at consolidating grassroots support ahead of potential negotiations. Oburu on Saturday presided over ODM’s Busia county delegates’ consultative forum in Malaba town, followed by a similar meeting for Kakamega county on Sunday. Delegates in Busia endorsed resolutions adopted by the party’s Central Management Committee last week and reaffirmed their confidence in Oburu’s leadership. The forum resolved any political alliance entered into by ODM must guarantee the party a fair and meaningful share of government in the next administration. Delegates cautioned that arrangements falling short of this threshold would not secure ODM’s participation. The meeting was attended by ODM Deputy Party leader and Kisii Governor Simba Arati, National chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Deputy secretary general and Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo, as well as governors Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega), Paul Otuoma (Busia) and Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga), among other leaders. Delegates said the negotiations, if successful, would position ODM as a key stakeholder in the formation of the next government. They added that structured engagement with UDA could strengthen the party’s national standing and safeguard the interests of its members. “This collective mandate sets our direction to initiate structured talks for a pre-election coalition, evaluate the implementation of the 10-point agenda and revitalise the party’s grassroots structures nationwide,” Wanga said.