Ochanda and Odhiambo defend Omollo in dispute over coalition conditions

Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda and Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo have defended Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo over his opposition to making a written agreement the central condition for political cooperation with President William Ruto.

The Standard reported that the MPs spoke at a Bondo engagement with Siaya Beach Management Unit officials. Odhiambo argued that Omollo was addressing the Luo community rather than directing ODM as a party. Ochanda called for the President to be allowed to seek partners without preconditions.

These are the MPs’ arguments, not evidence of a party-wide decision. Their comments also do not establish that an ethnic community holds a single political view.

The distinction between party membership and community identity is central to the dispute. Parties can negotiate through authorised organs; residents remain free to support different candidates and assess cooperation on their own terms.

The disagreement puts pressure on ODM to explain how individual leaders’ preferences relate to its formal negotiating position. A meeting with local officials does not itself amend that position.

What to watch is an authorised response from the party and any published framework for negotiations. Those would help establish whether the differences concern the terms of a pact, the need for a pact at all, or who has authority to negotiate it.