The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) announced plans to initiate structured political negotiations with various formations, including the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), following a Central Committee meeting on Monday, January 12, in < قوي>Kilifi County.

• The ODM Central Committee formally mandated the Party Leader to begin negotiations with UDA as part of a pre-election alliance strategy.
• Oburu Oginga, speaking on behalf of the committee, stated that these talks will be structured, focusing on shared interests and aiming to strengthen ODM's national foothold.
• Internal consultations with party members nationwide and a future National Delegates Convention will inform the party's final position.

Senator Oburu Oginga chaired a key ODM Central Management Committee meeting in Vipingo, Kilifi, amidst intensified internal wrangles, emphasizing a member-driven approach to shape the party's future direction and address growing divisions.

• Oburu challenged critics to face him at the party’s National Delegates Convention (NDC), which he promised to call "very soon."
• He defended ODM's engagement with President William Ruto's government, citing it secured political and development gains for supporters, including Cabinet appointments for Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, Treasury CS John Mbadi, and Mining CS Hassan Joho.
• The meeting reinforced commitment to internal consultation and unity, following unsuccessful attempts to remove Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, whom Oburu praised as a "sober and principled voice."
• Mama Ida Odinga, widow of ODM founding leader Raila Odinga, called for dialogue to prevent a party split, expressing concern that disputes risk tarnishing 20 years of ODM history.
• Divisions persist over whether ODM should continue supporting President Ruto’s government or prepare for the 2027 General Election.

Senior figures of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), including Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Senators Godfrey Osotsi, Odour Ong’wen, and Ledama Ariko, boycotted a Central Management Committee meeting in Mombasa, signaling deepening rifts within the party. The meeting, chaired by Party Leader Oburu Odinga, proceeded amidst wrangles over leadership and strategy for the 2027 General Election.

• Among those absent were also Otiende Amollo and Ruth Odinga, aligned with a faction questioning the party’s engagement with President William Ruto’s administration.
• Oburu Odinga defended engaging the Kenya Kwanza government, citing his role in securing ministerial appointments for ODM figures like Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi.
• Ida Odinga, widow of ODM founding leader Raila Odinga, has urged rival factions to embrace dialogue to prevent a potential party split, emphasizing the preservation of the party’s two decades of political legacy.