UDA and ODM Leaders Set for 3-day 2027 Coalition Talks Retreat in Naivasha
Broad-based leaders are set for a three-day retreat in Naivasha starting Sunday, in what has been seen as a meeting to put the broad-based house in order ahead of the August 2027 General Election.
The retreat comes at a time when the broad-based administration is seeking to consolidate its political camp and transform the working arrangement between UDA and ODM into a more structured political partnership ahead of the 2027 elections.
The meeting in Naivasha will also see several sticky issues put on the table including the setting up of a team to begin coalition talks between the two parties as well as the now contentious running mate position.
The meeting is expected to focus on strengthening cohesion between the two political camps, reviewing the progress of their partnership and charting the political direction of the broad-based administration ahead of the August 2027 elections.
Leaders will also discuss the future of the UDA-ODM arrangement and assess progress on issues arising from the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco), whose recommendations formed part of the political understanding reached between President Ruto and the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Among the key proposals arising from the Nadco process were the creation of the offices of Official Leader of the Opposition and Prime Minister, issues that could feature in discussions as the two parties seek to deepen their cooperation.
“We’re checking in on Sunday evening, then hold sessions all the way to Monday 4pm,” said National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.
The high-level meeting comes as the Kenya Kwanza administration faces sustained attacks from the United Opposition, with broad-based leaders now pushing for a new strategy to roll out nationwide campaigns to drum up support for President Ruto.
Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo said: “We are keen as ODM to know how are we moving forward as broad-based government.”
“We are formatting the way forward on what we intend to do in the next one year in the run up to the general election,” added Ichung’wah.
In the Naivasha retreat, the two parties are expected to establish a framework to start coalition talks including establishing a talks team that will be holding negotiations on the power sharing plan for the two parties.
“As we move to forming a coalition, ODM must be given the deputy president slot,” Madzayo said.
Ichung'wah noted: “Our two leaders had told us that we work towards forming a team for negotiations and talks. We can't pre-empt what will take place in the meeting but we will give a press briefing at 4pm on Monday.”
The battle for the running mate position will dominate the Naivasha retreat as the ODM party is pushing for a 50-50 power sharing plan.
ODM further wants to zone all its strongholds from UDA forays as part of irreducible minimums in the talks.
Madzayo said: “If UDA is giving the president, ODM will give the running mate. It is as simple as that. We will not blink in the retreat.”
“We are very confident that we will form the next government with ODM,” Ichung’wah stated.
The meeting will also be keen on drafting a joint manifesto to rally Kenyans behind the broad-based development agenda.