NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Oginga on Tuesday hosted seven newly elected lawmakers for a rare bipartisan breakfast meeting hours before their swearing-in, signalling an early attempt at cross-party cooperation following last week’s by-elections.
The leaders, who convened the session in their respective capacities as party heads of UDA and ODM, invited the legislators on Monday evening in what insiders say was a gesture meant to ease their transition into Parliament and reinforce party unity ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“In recognition of your efforts and to keep the fire burning, I wish to invite all of you for a breakfast meeting with our Party Leader, Sen. Oburu Oginga,” read part of the text message sent to ODM candidates.
According to those invited, the call-up was followed by phone confirmations directing ODM MPs-elect to report to Orange House before joining their UDA counterparts at State House for the joint meeting.
The invitation was extended not only to winners but also to aspirants who contested on ODM and affiliate party tickets but were unsuccessful.
“May I heartily congratulate those who emerged victorious. I also wish to commend those who didn’t get elected as I encourage you to keep our banner high as we gear up for the general elections in 20 months’ time,” the message added.
The seven sworn-in lawmakers include Baringo Senator Kiprono Chemitei, and MPs Maalim Hassan (Banisa), David Ndakwa (Malava), and Leo Muthende (Mbeere North) elected on a UDA ticket. ODM was represented by Moses Omondi (Ugunja), Boyd Were (Kasipul), and Harrison Kombe (Magarini).
Their victories were formally confirmed on Monday through a gazette notice by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
With Parliament resuming this afternoon, the breakfast meeting served as a precursor to official induction procedures. National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge issued a public notice outlining the morning orientation session held at the Speaker’s Gardens.
The session is mandatory for all MPs-elect and guides them through administrative, procedural, and legislative protocols before they take the Oath of Affirmation.
The induction covers registration, collection of bio-data, processing of parliamentary identification cards, familiarisation with the chamber and parliamentary precincts, briefings on available services and facilities, and an overview of essential legislative responsibilities.
“It’s further notified that the MPs-elect attend the orientation session with their original IDs, KRA PIN, original certificate of election issued by the IEBC, and updated curriculum vitae,” the notice dated December 2 states.
Today’s swearing-in marks the formal entry of the seven leaders into Parliament following the November 27 by-elections, held across several counties to fill vacancies occasioned by death, resignation, or nullification of results.
Their arrival slightly shifts the political arithmetic in both Houses, though the overall balance of power remains largely intact.
The bipartisan breakfast — rare in Kenya’s often combative political terrain — is being interpreted by analysts as an early sign of strategic engagement between Kenya Kwanza and ODM leadership, particularly as both camps brace for high-stakes political realignments ahead of the next polls.
