ODM Leaders Insist on Equal Stake in UDA Coalition Talks, Vow to Protect Party Positions
ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga addresses supporters during a recent event, reaffirming the party’s position ahead of coalition talks. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Leaders from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have declared that the party will safeguard all positions it currently holds as coalition negotiations with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) take shape.
Speaking during a funeral service in Siaya County, the leaders, led by ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga, emphasized the need for unity within the party and strengthened grassroots structures to enhance ODM’s bargaining power ahead of the next general election.
Wanga rallied members to support party leadership, including Dr. Oburu Oginga, while underscoring the party’s readiness to negotiate from a position of strength.
“Tutaingia kama equal partners because ODM is the largest party in South of Sahara and North of Limpopo. We have party members from Vanga in Kwale up to Todonyang, Turkana, and so we will be negotiating as equal partners since we must retain our seats,” Wanga said.
She also took the opportunity to encourage young people to participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise being conducted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), noting that increased voter turnout would further strengthen the party’s influence.
At the same event, Kakamega Governor Fernandez Barasa reaffirmed the party’s dominance in the Western region, pledging to defend ODM’s political strongholds.
“Kakamega and Western is locked in ODM and I have the keys. We are ready to protect the ODM party,” Barasa stated.
The leaders maintained that ODM will approach any coalition arrangement as an equal partner, insisting that its political influence and national presence must be fully recognized in ongoing discussions.
The remarks come amid growing political realignments as parties position themselves ahead of the next general election, with ODM leaders signalling a firm stance on retaining their political ground in any potential coalition framework.
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