Raila Forms Technical Team to Fast-Track MoU with UDA

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has sanctioned the creation of a joint technical team in an effort to strengthen its political alliance with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA). 

This decision, aimed at reinvigorating the existing political accord, was reached during a Central Management Committee meeting on 29 July. The move follows mounting internal tensions within the ODM regarding the efficacy and direction of their cooperation with the ruling UDA. The proposed technical team seeks to address these concerns and expedite the implementation of the 10-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed upon in March 2025.

The high-level meeting, held in Nairobi, included key ODM figures such as Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, Chairperson Gladys Wanga, and Minority Leader Junet Mohamed. Discussions took place against a backdrop of public disagreements, particularly after Sifuna’s previous assertion that the coalition agreement was “dead” due to alleged human rights violations and a perceived lack of progress on crucial reforms. 

Despite this earlier declaration, Sifuna subsequently delivered the party’s official statement reiterating support for the broad-based government arrangement. The ODM committee acknowledged that the absence of a designated implementation mechanism, despite its inclusion in the MoU, had significantly impeded advancement. 

The newly formed technical team, comprising non-political experts, will collaborate with counterparts from the UDA to accelerate the agreed agenda. This agenda encompasses the full execution of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, the protection of civil liberties, youth empowerment initiatives, and measures to combat corruption.

While the meeting was intended to project a unified front, it also highlighted deep-seated ideological divisions within the ODM. A segment of the party, particularly members from Western Kenya, have expressed support for the alliance with Ruto, citing tangible developmental benefits in their constituencies. Conversely, other voices, including Sifuna and Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, have voiced strong reservations, cautioning that continued collaboration could potentially undermine the ODM’s identity and alienate its grassroots support base.

Raila Odinga, the party leader, defended the partnership as a pragmatic approach to national stabilisation. He emphasised that differing viewpoints are not only tolerated but welcomed within the party. 

"Democracy demands that we allow space for differing opinions," Odinga stated, while also affirming that the party’s overall direction would be determined collectively through its established decision-making bodies.

Further decisions arising from the committee included endorsing proposals to increase county allocations from KSh415 billion to a minimum of KSh450 billion, and demanding the complete devolution of functions alongside corresponding resource allocation. Additionally, plans for upcoming grassroots elections and the “ODM at 20” celebrations were reaffirmed as part of the party’s internal restructuring efforts.