UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar held talks with ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen on April 25 at Chungwa House, signaling a possible 2027 political partnership.
The meeting comes amid growing unease within the broad-based government following conflicting remarks from top ODM officials.
Tensions have been fueled by sharp criticism of the Ruto-Raila deal by prominent ODM leaders, including Siaya Governor James Orengo, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
This comes despite the cooperation agreement signed between UDA and ODM on March 7, which some suspect could evolve into a formal alliance ahead of the 2027 general election—a move facing resistance from certain quarters within ODM.
Sources indicate that the meeting between Omar and Ong’wen may be part of early groundwork for a possible coalition.
However, ODM clarified that the discussions centered on “national and mutual interests,” including the NADCO report and the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties.
“They agreed to ensure that the pertinent issues raised by Kenyans are resolved and that the ten points outlined in the MoU are implemented to the letter, to avoid backlash and mistrust,” a joint statement noted.
On its part, UDA said the talks were part of broader consultations to “build synergies” and reinforce the foundation of the Broad-based Government (BBG).
In a statement on X, UDA emphasized that the discussions aimed to identify policy convergence between UDA and ODM, and to align government programs and interventions with the recommendations of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report and the MoU.
Also present at the meeting were Sebastian Mwangangi, Special Advisor to the UDA Secretary General, and Jarred Omachi, ODM’s Acting Director of Membership.
The meeting comes amid uncertainty in ODM over its 2027 strategy. While some party officials suggest ODM may form a coalition with UDA, others maintain the party will field its own presidential candidate.
“When the election comes in 2027, ODM will field its presidential candidate,” he declared.
Both Oduor Ong’wen and Hassan Omar are good comrades of mine in the fight for human rights and democracy in Kenya.
With Oduor Ong’wen he came to Industrial Area Remand Prison (INDA) when we were there in 1980’s revolutions.
At one point, they took him to some room in the E Block which is where we were. E Block at INDA is complete isolation because you stay in your rooms all day and night. You pee and poo in containers they give you and then take that out once a day. Oh God it was so terrible.
So Oduor is in the block and we have no idea where he is and then at night we sought ” Oduor Ong’wen, Where Are You”
Then he shouts back. “I am in number 6 block”
Then we tell him we will knock the door.
We were in block one at the door. It was me, Onyango Cornelius (CA), David Murathe, Kibitsu Kabatesi, Omoto (we used to call him “ofire”, and other comrades in the cell.
The way E Block at INDA works is that they only open one block of prisoners at a time to take their garbage to the open toilet. That was the only time we had to knock at OO’s door and we talk best we could.
Raila: Leave Orengo and Anyang’ Nyong’o alone
ODM leader Raila Odinga and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga during the burial of Priscilla Koyo in Karachuonyo constituency on April 25, 2025
Elsewhere, ODM leader Raila Odinga has come to the defence of two governors over their remarks on the broad-based government formed by President William Ruto and his party.
Raila said remarks by Governor James Orengo (Siaya) and Anyang’ Nyong’o are based on the MoU signed between ODM and the ruling UDA.
He maintained that there is no coalition between ODM and UDA and that the partnership is an arrangement based on an MoU signed in daylight.
“There are clear points, very explicit, and I do not see why people are bickering. When Orengo talks, he is talking on the basis of the MoU between ODM and UDA. Orengo has not committed any crime. He has a democratic right to say what he was saying,” Raila stated.
Orengo and Nyong’o have come under fire from some members of the Orange party over their remarks on the broad-based government.
Raila added that anybody speaking about devolution is talking the language of ODM.
“Devolution was the most important feature of our Constitution, but it has not worked because we have not implemented it the way it should be. That is why people are not reaping the benefits of it,” he added.
He explained that some government functions are yet to be fully devolved.
“You have devolved some responsibilities, but you have not devolved the funds. Health is a devolved function, but most of the funds are held up in Nairobi. Why should the national government hold over Sh100 billion yet the function is devolved?” he posed.
Raila argued that the fact that his party is in cooperation with that of President Ruto—UDA—means the constitution does not bar members of his party and supporters from speaking their mind.
Speaking during the burial of Priscillah Koyo, the wife of former Luo Council of Elders Chairman Koyo Opien at Gendia in Karachuonyo constituency, Raila said ODM has not joined the government of Ruto.
He compared the MoU to that of the United States of America, in which former President Joe Biden and current President Donald Trump appointed ministers from their rival political parties.
