NAIVASHA, Kenya- President William Ruto has announced that Kenya Kwanza and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have formally agreed to form a coalition and contest the 2027 General Election together.
Ruto announced on Monday during the broad-based government retreat in Naivasha, exactly one year before the August 10, 2027 General Election.
He said the two political formations had decided following consultations within their respective parties.
“After consultations within our respective parties and formations, the Kenya Kwanza and the ODM have today formally resolved to develop a joint manifesto for the next election and constitute a coalition to contest the 2027 general election together,” Ruto said.
The President said the decision formalises the political partnership that has existed between the two formations since the establishment of the broad-based government.
“This formalizes the political partnership we have built and gives it a clear mandate to consolidate the progress we have made, carry the reforms underway to completion, and present to the people of Kenya a common program for the next phase of our national transformation,” he said.
Ruto said the partnership would now move beyond cooperation in government to a common electoral platform.
“What began as cooperation in government will become a common political platform upon which we shall seek the mandate of the Kenyan people in August next year,” he said.
Joint manifesto
The two formations are expected to begin the process of developing a joint manifesto outlining their programme for the 2027 election.
Earlier on Monday, reports indicated that Kenya Kwanza and ODM had constituted a 10-member team to begin work on the joint manifesto and formalisation of the coalition. Ruto and ODM leader Oburu Oginga are expected to nominate additional members to the process.
The move follows months of political cooperation between Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration and ODM, which began with the formation of the broad-based government.
Ruto said the coalition would not rely solely on the government’s record in seeking a fresh mandate.
“No election can be fought on past achievements alone,” he said.
He added that political formations seeking the support of Kenyans must also explain their plans for the future.
“Those who seek your mandate as the people of Kenya must also tell you where they intend to take this country tomorrow,” Ruto said.
The announcement comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 General Election, which is scheduled for August 10, 2027.
The formalisation of the Kenya Kwanza-ODM electoral partnership now sets the stage for the two formations to develop a shared campaign programme and seek a joint mandate from voters in next year’s election.
