Kenya: ODM-UDA Pact - Kisumu Bunge La Mwananchi Demands Written Deal Before 2027

What the report says

Grassroots activists in Kisumu, speaking under the banner of Bunge La Mwananchi, are pressing Kenya’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to put any pre-election cooperation into a written agreement before the 2027 General Election. According to the Capital FM report distributed by AllAfrica, the group said a documented pact would help define what each side is offering, protect ODM’s interests and reduce the risk of later disputes.

The members also argued that ODM should approach talks with UDA as an equal partner, not a subordinate one, even as the party continues to work within the broader government arrangement. They said any deal should include clear terms on power sharing and the party’s future political direction, especially as the 2027 vote approaches.

The report says speakers in Kisumu further urged ODM to make youth concerns central to any negotiations. They said cooperation between the parties should translate into practical opportunities for young people, including representation and economic support, rather than serving only election-season politics.

Charles Aduogo, identified as ODM’s Kisumu West chairman, said supporters wanted clarity on the party’s path after President William Ruto’s first term. As general background, coalition politics and written political agreements are common tools in Kenya’s multiparty system, where parties often negotiate alliances before elections.