Consolidating the Crown
To understand Dr. Oburu’s hardline stance against UDA’s “disrespect,” one must look at his newly minted mandate. Following the tragic passing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in October 2025, the party was thrust into a period of deep uncertainty.
That changed on March 27, 2026, during the ODM Special Delegates Convention (SDC) at Jamhuri Grounds.
The Mandate: Suna East MP Junet Mohamed officially moved the motion, and delegates overwhelmingly confirmed Oburu as the new Party Leader, handing him the instruments of power.
The Strategy: Oburu’s demand for UDA to keep off ODM strongholds isn’t just a defensive move; it is a display of strength to his base.
By declaring, “We cannot stop what has not started… Our negotiations with UDA have not started,” he is assuring supporters that ODM will not be swallowed into the broad-based government without a hard-fought, structured agreement.
“Mkileta Mchezo…” — The 2027 Threat
UDA’s aggressive posturing, particularly at the Coast, has triggered a massive counter-reaction from ODM’s loyalists, who are making it clear that the party has other options if the current political marriage fails.
The Ultimatum: During the recent SDC, Junet Mohamed delivered a direct warning to the ruling party: “Mkileta mchezo, sisi pia tutaleta presidential candidate, watu wakutane kwa kiwanja.” (If you play games, we will also bring a presidential candidate, and we will meet on the battlefield).
