Oburu says ODM yet to decide whether to support Ruto in 2027 or run independently

Speaking at late Cyrus Jirongo's home in Lugari, Oburu said ODM will first consult its members before issuing a clear political direction, guided by collective decisions rather than individual interests.

“I am nothing without you. You are the ones who make me party leader. I can not claim to know everything, which is why we must consult our people. Once we agree on party policy, everyone must speak the same language,” ODM boss Oburu said.

He stressed that ODM’s strength lies in the party and not in individual leaders, adding that the focus is on building a strong and united party ahead of 2027.  

“The importance is the party and not about me, as Oburu. We are building a 10-point agenda that will guide us up to 2027."

He further stated that the party's priority is to strengthen, expand, attract new members, and gain more support than before.

Oburu noted that ODM will decide closer to the election whether to run independently or enter into a "negotiated arrangement" with the ruling party, Kenya Kwanza.

“When 2027 comes, we will either go into the election as ODM on our own or work with others we are currently together with in government. Any support will be through a negotiated arrangement that fully involves ODM," he said. 

ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, on his part, added that young leaders are ready to take up the responsibility of pushing for accountability and justice, which he said remain central to ODM’s values.

“I said it doesn’t matter if you haven’t built roads, but if we are living in fear, we don’t want those roads," Sifuna said.

"But I want to say this, there is no one who will remove me from the truth, and no one can silence me. Even if Cyrus has gone quiet, we will still hear his voice through justice being done."

Since the demise of Odinga on October 15, 2025, there have been reports of cracks in the party, where some members want disintegration from the broad-based government agreement reached between the late opposition leader, Raila Odinga, and President William Ruto.

Other members have expressed loyalty to the broad-based pact and even vowed to support Ruto’s re-election come 2027.