The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has emphasized its commitment to preserving its political identity and territorial claims as it engages in alliance talks with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 General Election.

During a meeting at its headquarters on July 29, 2026, ODM declared Turkana an "undisputed ODM zone," reinforcing its influence in the region amid broader coalition discussions. The gathering included key ODM figures such as Secretary General Catherine Omanyo and Cabinet Secretaries Hassan Joho, Opiyo Wandayi, and Beatrice Askul Moe.

Firm Stand on Party Identity

In a statement shared on its official X account, ODM stressed that while it supports the concept of a broad-based government, it will not compromise its distinct political identity or social justice agenda. The party affirmed that negotiations with UDA on collaborative policies have commenced within joint frameworks but maintained that ODM's core values and territorial claims remain intact.

"Through joint and united frameworks, we have officially started negotiations on collaborative policies. While we champion a broad-based government, ODM is distinct and cannot and will not be swallowed," the statement read.

Zoning and Power Sharing Highlight Negotiations

The emphasis on zoning follows remarks by ODM leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, who identified clear territorial arrangements as crucial to avoiding intra-coalition competition during the 2027 polls. He cautioned against potential clashes that could undermine the coalition’s presidential ambitions.

Oburu acknowledged the complexity of zoning negotiations but expressed confidence based on past experiences. "We are going to negotiate. We are going to do this zoning. It is not an easy thing, but we have done it before, so we are going to do it again," he said.

Calls for Equitable Power Sharing

ODM leaders such as Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, and Budget Committee Chairperson Samuel Atandi have advocated for a balanced 50-50 power-sharing arrangement with UDA. Additionally, ODM has linked its support for President William Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid to securing the deputy president position within the coalition.

The party also confirmed that its experts are actively working on policy solutions and development projects within the broad-based government framework.