March 7 Showdown? Oburu Odinga Breaks Silence on Alleged ODM-UDA Split

The leadership of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has moved to quell internal speculation regarding the future of its partnership with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA). During a “Linda Ground Rally” in Suna East, Migori County, on Sunday, March 1, prominent party figures clarified that the “broad-based government” remains intact despite growing friction within the secondary ranks.

ODM leader Oburu Odinga categorically rejected claims from a section of the party suggesting the cooperation agreement would collapse this week. Some members had pointed to March 7, the one-year anniversary of the pact, as a hard deadline for the political marriage.

Oburu explained that the upcoming date serves as a milestone for reflection rather than a dissolution of the memorandum of understanding (MoU). He noted that both parties intend to use the occasion to evaluate the 10-point agenda that forms the foundation of their cooperation.

“There are those who allege that by March 7, the relationship between UDA and ODM is coming to an end. That’s not true,” Oburu stated. “What I know about the 10-point agenda is that on March 7, we will celebrate the first anniversary of the broad-based government, and the interim report of the agenda will be tabled.”

The clarification follows sharp criticism from embattled Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, the former party secretary-general. Sifuna and his allies recently argued that the partnership should expire because the government has failed to deliver on the agreed-upon points within the stipulated one-year window.

However, ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga countered these claims, describing those predicting a split as “liars.” Wanga insisted that the implementation of the 10-point plan is progressing steadily, citing recent legislative wins as evidence of the partnership’s value.

“Those who are coming here to say that the broad-based government is coming to an end on March 7 are lying. We will review how far we have come with its implementation,” Wanga stated. She specifically pointed to a major breakthrough in social justice: “Parliament has already assured us that 2b is already set aside to compensate the victims in the next budget.”

The post March 7 Showdown? Oburu Odinga Breaks Silence on Alleged ODM-UDA Split appeared first on Nairobi Wire.