The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have taken a major step towards formalising their political partnership after concluding a three-day retreat in Naivasha aimed at reviewing the progress of the broad-based coalition and charting its strategy ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The retreat, led by President William Ruto, the UDA party leader, and ODM leader Dr. Oburu Oginga, resolved to establish a 10-member Joint Manifesto Committee, with each party nominating five members to draft a common manifesto for the coalition.
ODM nominated Isaac Wanuge, Maryam Abdullahi Mbaruk, Leonida Kerubo Omosa, Eng. Carrey Orege, and Ong’wen Oduor as the party’s ex-officio member. UDA nominated Emmanuel Nzai, Dr. Daniel Mwai, Bramwel Simiyu, Mohammed Hassan, and Dr. Cecilia Ngetich, with Nicodemus Bore serving as the party’s ex-officio member.
The two parties also agreed to establish a second joint team, with each side nominating five members to prepare a coalition framework agreement. The team will recommend the principles and governance structures that will guide the partnership, propose leadership arrangements and develop a power-sharing formula ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The framework is expected to address the contentious issue of the coalition’s running mate amid reports that ODM is pushing to secure the deputy president’s position within the alliance.
Speaking during the retreat, Dr. Oburu Oginga backed the coalition, saying President Ruto had embraced ODM because of the value the party brings to government.
“President William Ruto has welcomed ODM with both hands because he knows that ODM not only brings numbers, but it also brings quality,” Oburu said.
The coalition leaders expressed confidence that the alliance has what it takes to retain power in the 2027 General Election.
Earlier, President William Ruto urged leaders from both parties to close ranks and work together to secure victory in next year’s elections, warning that an opposition win would be detrimental to the country’s progress.
“In the coming election we must win, by God’s grace, because we do not have an option. The alternative is difficult to fathom,” Ruto said.
The President further argued that handing over power to leaders who have “no plan, no agenda, no policy and no vision” would be disastrous for Kenya, urging members of the broad-based coalition to remain united as they prepare for the 2027 polls.
