Omanyo: ODM will field our own candidate to face Ruto if we don’t agree with UDA

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Catherine Omanyo has stated that if the party cannot reach an agreement with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 general election, they will field their own candidate for the presidency. Speaking in an interview on September 26, 2026, Omanyo emphasized that even if they do not form the government, ODM remains a formidable force and will still play a significant role.

"Mazungumuzo ya spoiva? Nam. Yasipoiva, itabidi tuweke Rais wetu. Sasa yasipoiva, sasa kila mtu ataweka. Lakini kwa sasa, jinsi tunaendelea, sioni watu wakigongana gongana. Lakini ni ile tulikuwa tumezoea kufanya after, post?" she said.

This follows the recent defense of ODM's coalition talks by party leader Oburu Oginga, who stated that the process is deliberate and will be finalized before the end of 2026. During the ODM Women Empowerment Programme in Nyando, Kisumu County on July 4, 2026, Oburu addressed critics who questioned the slow pace of negotiations. He dismissed claims of sluggishness, emphasizing that the party still has ample time to conclude the arrangements before the 2027 election in August.

Oburu explained that ODM is being cautious to avoid prematurely revealing their political strategy, which could give opponents an advantage. "I’m not too slow. The election is next year in August next year. We still have more than one year to go," he reassured. ODM plans to finalize all key decisions by the end of the year, ensuring they remain a strong contender in the upcoming election.