Ruto Reiterates UDA-ODM Partnership Ahead of 2027 Polls

President William Ruto has reaffirmed his support for the cooperation pact between the United Democratic Alliance and the Orange Democratic Movement, describing it as a partnership of equals aimed at strengthening national unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during a church service in Bondo, Siaya County, the president said the arrangement is based on mutual respect and shared goals. He said that both parties are working towards outcomes that benefit all sides and said the government will soon release a detailed report outlining progress made under the agreement.

The cooperation has, however, prompted debate within ODM. Edwin Sifuna, the senator for Nairobi, has argued that the arrangement expired after one year. Other party leaders, including ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga and Oburu Odinga, say the agreement has no fixed end date and should be judged by the results it delivers.

Ruto said the report to be presented on Tuesday will outline progress made under the ten-point agenda agreed with Raila Odinga. He pointed to several projects as examples of the partnership’s impact, including the planned dualling of the Rironi–Mau Summit road, the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (Kenya) to Kisumu, and the upgrade of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital to a Level 6 facility.

Oburu Odinga said ODM’s participation in the arrangement has helped secure development projects for the region. He dismissed calls for the party to withdraw and said that ODM intends to remain part of the broad-based government framework initiated by Raila Odinga.