Naivasha Retreat: Ruto, Oburu to Lead UDA-ODM Talks on 2027 Power Deal

President William Ruto and ODM leader Oburu Odinga are set to lead a three-day retreat in Naivasha from Sunday, bringing together governors, deputy governors and MPs from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) for talks on the future of the broad-based administration.

The retreat will run from Sunday evening through Monday, with a press briefing scheduled for 4pm. National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah said the discussions would cover several issues, including implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, compensation for victims of past protests and the rollout of Vision 2060.

However, the proposed UDA-ODM coalition framework and the question of power-sharing are expected to be among the most contentious issues. ODM has insisted on equal representation under the proposed arrangement, including a 50-50 power-sharing formula. 

The party has also demanded the deputy presidency if President Ruto is retained as the coalition’s presidential candidate. Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo said the President and Deputy President could not come from the same party under the broad-based arrangement. 

He argued that the deputy president should therefore come from ODM, a position that puts Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s political future within the coalition under scrutiny. ODM has already proposed several potential running mates for Ruto, including Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga. 

Their names reflect ODM’s push for a significant role in the proposed coalition.

UDA leaders, however, have continued to indicate that Ruto is likely to retain Kindiki as his running mate. The differing positions are expected to lead to difficult negotiations, with ODM also seeking zoning agreements to protect its traditional political strongholds.

The Naivasha meeting will also test the strength of the broad-based government, which emerged from the political rapprochement between Ruto and Raila Odinga. The arrangement has brought ODM members into the Cabinet and facilitated cooperation on several policy issues, but questions over succession and the distribution of political power remain unresolved.

ODM’s demands are aimed at securing a stronger position within the coalition and reassuring its supporters that the party will retain meaningful influence. UDA, meanwhile, will seek to maintain its position as the dominant political force within the administration.