Senior Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) figures, including veteran politician Oketch Salah and youth activist Kasmuel McOure, convened a high-profile meeting of grassroots leaders and delegates in Kericho County on Monday to reaffirm support for Dr. Oburu Oginga as the party prepares for its National Delegates Conference (NDC). The gathering comes amid intensified internal discussions over the party’s post-Raila Odinga direction and early moves toward forging political alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing the delegates, McOure underscored the importance of strengthening ODM’s organisational structures from the village level upward and backing Oburu as the legitimate and unifying leader of the party.
“Our discussions focused on strengthening party structures, affirming our support for Dr. Oburu Oginga ahead of the National Delegates Conference, and mandating him to initiate early, structured engagements toward a 2027 coalition framework in the national interest,” McOure wrote in a social media post following the Kericho meeting.
McOure, a prominent youth figure within ODM and convenor of the Broad-Based Youth Front, has increasingly become a vocal advocate for maintaining internal discipline within the party and resisting factionalism. He has in recent months publicly defended both Salah and Oburu against internal critics, framing their leadership as central to preserving the late Raila Odinga’s legacy while navigating contemporary political complexities.
Oketch Salah, who has recently stirred debate by openly declaring he has the financial capacity to counter vote-buying in upcoming party processes, echoed McOure’s sentiment, urging delegates to prioritise leadership qualities and ideological clarity over transactional politics. Salah’s remarks emphasised that delegates should support Oburu on the basis of vision and continuity rather than short-term incentives.
The Kericho meeting reflects broader strategic positioning within ODM as the party works to consolidate its grassroots base and chart its path forward following the death of Raila Odinga in 2025. At a national level, the party’s Central Committee has already mandated Oburu Oginga to begin structured talks with other political formations, including President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), as part of a larger coalition framework ahead of the 2027 elections.
Observers note that these internal endorsements and mobilisation efforts come at a time when ODM is confronting factional tensions and debating its role within Kenya’s evolving political landscape. The NDC — expected later this year — will test the party’s cohesion and determine the official position on alliances, including whether to formalise cooperation with UDA or pursue alternative coalitions.
Grassroots leaders in Kericho, drawn from across county wards, expressed determination to project unity and discipline within ODM. Several delegates said strengthening party structures at the local level, particularly in Western Kenya where ODM has longstanding support, will be key to maintaining relevance and influence in 2027
