A fresh round of political discussion has been sparked by former Azimio chief agent Saitabao Ole Kanchory, who has urged the Orange Democratic Movement to maintain its independence ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Spice FM on Tuesday, he warned that supporting President William Ruto could erode the party’s long-established position in national politics.
Ole Kanchory linked his concerns to ODM’s internal planning during the 2022 general election, noting that Raila Odinga’s campaign strategy included a ten-point agenda scheduled to conclude in 2026.
He said the timeline reflected an effort to keep the next presidential race competitive and to limit the incumbent to a single term.
According to him, this was part of a broader intention by the party leadership to remain central in shaping future national direction.
His remarks also revisited Raila Odinga’s standing within ODM and the party’s long history of contesting presidential elections.
ODM has been a significant political force since the early 2000s, often influencing coalition politics and driving policy discussions both inside and outside Parliament.
Ole Kanchory argued that this legacy gives the party a strong foundation for fielding its own candidate in 2027.
During the interview, he cited Raila’s previous public comment—“Who says ODM cannot field a candidate?”—as evidence that the former prime minister intended for the party to remain active in the next presidential contest.
Ole Kanchory added that ODM still enjoys a broad national following and retains support across multiple regions.
He maintained that entering the race with its own candidate would preserve the party’s stature.
He further cautioned that backing President Ruto could weaken ODM’s organisational strength and send mixed signals to supporters who expect the party to challenge for State House.
“If ODM supports William Ruto in 2027, that will be the end of the party,” he said, stressing that political identity and consistency remain crucial ahead of the next electoral cycle.
ODM’s current cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration has generated speculation about its long-term strategy, even as the party leadership remains noncommittal on its 2027 plans.
The decision is expected to influence future political alignments and could determine how opposition voices organise ahead of the polls.
For now, ODM’s direction remains a key point of national interest, with analysts and supporters closely watching for any signals on whether the party will compete independently or align with the ruling coalition in 2027.
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