President William Ruto has announced that Kenya Kwanza and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will work together under a joint coalition to contest the 2027 General Election. The announcement followed a broad-based government retreat in Naivasha, where leaders agreed to develop a common manifesto and establish structures to guide the partnership ahead of the polls.
Ruto said each side will appoint a five-member team to prepare the coalition’s joint manifesto. Another team will work on the Coalition Framework Agreement, covering issues such as governance, leadership and power-sharing arrangements. ODM named Isaac Onyuge, Mariam Abdulahi Mbaruk, Leonida Kerubo Omusa, Engineer Kare Orege and Professor Bernard Muok to its manifesto team, with the party’s Executive Director serving as an ex-officio member.
Kenya Kwanza appointed Emmanuel Nzai, Dr Daniel Mwai, Bramwell Simiyu, Mohamed Hassan and Dr Cecilia Ngetich. The UDA Executive Director will also participate as an ex-officio member.
The President said the partnership will build on the cooperation between Kenya Kwanza and ODM in the broad-based government and transform it into a political alliance seeking the mandate of Kenyans in August 2027. Ruto also assured Kenyans that the next election would be peaceful, transparent and credible, with all political parties and formations given an opportunity to campaign and present their policies.
ODM leader Dr Oburu Oginga rejected claims that the coalition would weaken or absorb the opposition party. Oburu insisted that ODM joined the broad-based government from a position of strength and was capable of fielding its own presidential candidate.
He said the party’s decision was aimed at promoting political stability and ensuring that any transfer of power takes place through elections rather than street demonstrations.
Oburu said the joint manifesto should incorporate policies from both ODM and Kenya Kwanza. He added that negotiations on the Coalition Framework Agreement would determine issues including governance and power-sharing. He further maintained that ODM would retain its identity and warned against suggestions that the party would be swallowed by the new political arrangement.
Oburu expressed confidence in the coalition’s prospects in the 2027 election, saying political parties ultimately seek to gain power through the ballot.
The proposed Kenya Kwanza-ODM coalition marks a significant development ahead of the 2027 General Election. The two political sides are now expected to finalize their joint manifesto and negotiate the framework that will determine how the coalition operates and shares responsibilities.
