President William Ruto has convened United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party’s top decision-making organ today to deliberate on the possibility of entering a coalition with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The plan was revealed by Ruto’s ally and Kericho Senator, Aaron Cheruiyot, who said the President, keen on securing re-election, will chair a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to consider a recent proposal by ODM’s Central Management Committee (CMC) on a possible pre-election pact with UDA.
PARTY MATTERS
Speaking during an interview on a local podcast on January 13, 2025, the Senate Majority Leader said ODM’s coalition proposal would feature prominently on the agenda of the UDA NEC meeting, alongside other party matters.
He explained that just as ODM had given its party leader the green light to engage UDA on pre-coalition arrangements, UDA would similarly grant its leader the mandate to engage other parties, including ODM, as part of preparations for the 2027 elections.
“Tomorrow we will be holding our NEC meeting as UDA, under the chairmanship of our party leader, President William Ruto. Among many other issues, including grassroots elections, the proposed coalition plan by ODM will also feature. We, as UDA, will permit him to engage ODM and other interested parties,” Cheruiyot said.
PRE-COALITION TALKS
Senator Cheruiyot endorsed ODM’s move, noting that after suffering several electoral defeats at the hands of President Ruto and observing that coalitions associated with him often emerge victorious, the party had opted to pursue cooperation rather than remain in opposition, as it had in the past.
The development follows an ODM CMC meeting held in Vipingo, Kilifi County, chaired by Oburu Odinga. Among the key resolutions was a decision that the party should initiate pre-coalition talks with other parties, particularly President Ruto’s UDA, to determine how ODM will position itself ahead of 2027.
ODM is now set to begin public engagements, with the first rally scheduled to take place in Kibra within the week. These engagements will culminate in a National Delegates Conference (NDC), the party’s highest decision-making organ, which will formally endorse the outcomes and the party leader’s position.
PARTY LINE
The move has also been backed by a section of ODM MPs, led by Ruaraka MP Tom Joseph Kajwang’, Makadara MP George Aladwa and Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, among others.
The lawmakers lauded the decision while warning Secretary General Edwin Sifuna that he risks losing his position should he fail to toe the party line.
Although Sifuna has not publicly commented on the party’s move to initiate talks with Ruto’s outfit, political observers say the Nairobi senator finds himself in a besieged position. His options include backing the party’s stance, breaking ranks, or remaining isolated and risking forcible ejection.
