Kisumu County Women Representative, Ruth Odinga, has raised concerns over the timing of the reported pre-election alliance between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), describing it as premature and potentially detrimental to the party’s internal cohesion.
Speaking during an interview at KTN News on Wednesday night, Odinga emphasized that ODM must first consolidate its internal structures before entering any external political deals.
“It is very premature for ODM to have that pact,” she said. “We really need to first get our house in order. So, why would we want to go to any pre-election pact so hurriedly when we have not even done some of the MoUs we put in place, like the 10-point agenda?”
Odinga’s comments highlight ongoing tensions within ODM as the party navigates its positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.
She stressed that the party’s strength lies in its unity and ability to present a clear agenda to the electorate.
According to her, ODM must first resolve internal disagreements and ensure that all factions are aligned before negotiating with other parties.
“ODM is a very strong party. This is the woman everybody wants to marry,” Odinga said, using a metaphor to illustrate the party’s political clout.
She added that if the different factions within ODM reconcile and work together, the party will be in a stronger position to assert itself ahead of the elections.
On the question of whether ODM should field its own presidential candidate, Odinga was unequivocal.
“Even if somebody from ODM is willing to become the president, why would we say that ODM does not want to field a president?” she asked.
Her remarks suggest that discussions within the party about supporting external candidates or forming alliances should not overshadow the option of presenting a homegrown contender.
While some leaders see a pre-election coalition as a way to consolidate votes, others, like Odinga, caution that internal cohesion and adherence to party principles must come first.