Ruto, ODM leadership retreat to Naivasha as 2027 alliance talks gather pace

The meeting, beginning Sunday, brings together senior political figures from the two formations, including governors, deputy governors and Members of Parliament, in what is expected to be one of the most significant engagements between the two sides since they entered into their current working.

capitalfm.africa ·2d ago

NAIROBI, Kenya – Senior political figures from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) are set to convene in Naivasha for a three-day retreat to discuss the future of President William Ruto's administration. The gathering, expected to commence on Sunday, will bring together governors, deputy governors, and Members of Parliament from both parties in what is seen as a pivotal meeting ahead of the 2027 General Election.

President Ruto and ODM leader Oburu Odinga will lead discussions, aiming to determine the evolution of their cooperation leading up to the election. The retreat, hosted at Lake Naivasha Resort, will not only assess the progress of the broad-based administration but will also scrutinize the potential conversion of the UDA-ODM partnership into a more defined political arrangement capable of navigating the intense competition of the 2027 elections.

Key topics of discussion include the implementation of National Dialogue Committee (Nadco) recommendations, such as the creation of Prime Minister and Official Leader of the Opposition offices, and the emerging succession calculations for Ruto's possible second term. Potential running mates, such as Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, have been proposed by ODM figures, though resistance from Deputy President Kithure Kindiki's allies may arise.

Additionally, the parties will deliberate on electoral contests in their respective strongholds, with ODM advocating for a political zoning arrangement to avoid internal competition, while UDA opposes this, favoring nationwide competition. The presidency, itself, remains a contentious issue. As both parties grapple with these complexities, the Naivasha retreat emerges as a critical platform for addressing the evolving political landscape and shaping the dynamics of the broad-based administration ahead of the 2027 elections.

Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.