NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has been formally mandated by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to lead structured negotiations with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as Kenya’s ruling coalition moves to consolidate power ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, January 14, UDA said its National Executive Committee (NEC) had endorsed ODM’s proposal to open formal coalition talks aimed at strengthening the Kenya Kwanza administration and negotiating a new political pact before the next polls.
“The NEC noted the decision of the ODM Party Central Management Committee to initiate structured negotiations with the UDA Party, in the Kenya Kwanza Coalition, to strengthen the ongoing political partnership and negotiate a coalition agreement ahead of the 2027 general elections,” UDA said.
The party further confirmed that President Ruto, who is also UDA’s party leader, has been tasked with setting up the framework for the talks.
“The NEC mandated the UDA Party Leader to establish mechanisms for structured engagement with the ODM party to achieve the desired outcome,” the statement added.
The move marks a significant step in formalising a political partnership that has already reshaped Kenya’s governance landscape since ODM joined the Kenya Kwanza administration in 2024, creating what the two sides describe as a “broad-based government”.
UDA said the existing cooperation between the two parties has already produced tangible political and legislative outcomes, including the adoption of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) Report of 2024, which was tabled in Parliament for implementation.
The NEC also cited the formation of a broad-based administration that brought ODM leaders into key government positions, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on a 10-point reform agenda, and the establishment of a bipartisan committee to oversee its implementation.
In addition, UDA pointed to the recent November 27, 2025, by-elections, in which UDA and ODM backed each other’s candidates, resulting in victories in all contested Senate and National Assembly seats.
ODM had earlier confirmed its intention to begin formal coalition negotiations, starting with UDA, as part of its preparations for the 2027 elections.
In a statement released on Monday, January 12, ODM’s Central Committee said it had directed its Party Leader to spearhead the process while running parallel consultations with party members.
“The Committee meeting expressed the intention to initiate structured negotiations with different political formations, beginning with the United Democratic Alliance. To this end, we have mandated the Party Leader to commence this process,” ODM said.
The party added that internal consultations would continue and eventually culminate in a National Delegates Convention, where any coalition decisions would be ratified.
ODM also acknowledged that the next general election is just over a year away, prompting an accelerated push to organise, develop policy positions, and prepare candidates.
“The Central Committee noted that general elections will be held next year, and resolved that the Party cannot afford to wait to begin preparations,” the statement said, directing immediate work on coalition building, organisational readiness, and policy development.
