Ruto: Broad-based govt is Kenya’s second-largest political outfit after 2008 grand coalition

President William Ruto recently referred to the broad-based government as Kenya's second-largest political coalition, following the grand coalition government established after the contentious 2007 general election. Speaking at an opening address for a parliamentary retreat in Naivasha on August 10, 2026, Ruto highlighted that the coalition comprises over 250 National Assembly members, making it a significant political formation in the country's history.

Ruto urged the leaders attending the three-day retreat to comprehend the gravity of their decisions, asserting that the country's future would be greatly influenced by the resolutions reached during the meeting. He emphasized that the unity demonstrated at the retreat carries a significant responsibility for the leaders, stating, "Where you are seated today, understand the consequence of your being here."

The president acknowledged that assembling more than 250 MPs under a single political umbrella is no easy feat, emphasizing that the nation's future hinges on the decisions made at the retreat. "Our nation, Kenya, today depends to a very large extent on this team that is seated here. It is not easy to put together 250-plus members of the National Assembly," Ruto explained.

Ruto emphasized that the decisions made during the retreat would directly impact Kenya's future, calling upon the leaders to approach their discussions with a clear understanding of the weight of their responsibilities. "The future of our nation is dependent on the decisions that we make in this meeting, and therefore, all of us seated here must understand the weight of the decisions we make because they will influence how Kenya moves into the future," he added.

The retreat is expected to serve as a crucial political gathering as the broad-based government sets the stage for the 2027 general election. Discussions are anticipated to cover the coalition's achievements and shortcomings, as well as the implementation of the 10-point agenda that underpinned the political arrangement between Ruto and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

The meeting will also provide an opportunity for ODM and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to discuss potential collaboration ahead of the 2027 elections.

One of the expected outcomes of the retreat is the formation of a 10-member team, consisting of five representatives from each side, to lead pre-coalition negotiations ahead of the 2027 presidential contest. However, the meeting comes at a time when both sides enter the negotiations with varying expectations and demands. The ODM is pushing for the deputy president position in any arrangement to support Ruto's re-election bid, a demand that could place Deputy President Kithure Kindiki's position at the heart of the negotiations.

The ODM also seeks a 50% share of government positions and resources in exchange for backing Ruto's bid for a second term. These demands are likely to form part of the ongoing negotiations as the two political sides strive to establish the terms of their cooperation ahead of the 2027 election.