Ruto: Our relationship with ODM will be one of equals

President William Ruto speaking in Siaya County on March 8, 2026 PCS

President William Ruto has said his working relationship with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will be based on equality and mutual benefit.

The president said that the arrangement would be built on trust and shared gains for both sides.

“Our relationship with ODM is going to be a relationship of equals,” Ruto said.

The President noted that the party is currently under the leadership of Oburu Odinga, adding that he had committed to being faithful to the partnership.

Ruto stated that the cooperation would be structured to ensure both parties benefit.

“The party of ODM, under the leadership of Oburu. I did commit that we are going to be faithful to our relationship,” he said.

“It is going to be a relationship of equals; it is going to be a relationship with a win-win outcome.”

The President spoke on Sunday when he visited Siaya.

According to the president, for far too long, the youth have been perceived as part of the country’s problems.

Yet, he said,the young people who are skilled, talented, innovative, and energetic are the solution to the challenges facing the country.

“They are the assets that can turn Kenya into a first-world economy. It is on this basis that we have deliberately put in place measures to empower our youth and create gainful employment for them,” he said.

The President opened the Siaya Community Digital Hub, Bondo, Siaya County, and addressed traders and the people of Bondo Town.

In January, President Ruto made a personal appeal for national unity, urging leaders of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and ODM to enter negotiations to form the next government. 

Speaking to residents at Kisumu Kondele Roundabout and Kisumu Stage, Ruto engaged locals directly, asking if they supported talks between the two parties. The crowd responded enthusiastically, chanting slogans backing the move. 

“I want to make a personal appeal. Let us come together and have negotiations between ODM and UDA to form a coalition and build the next government. The two parties should talk and agree on how to move the country forward,” Ruto said. 

The president called for an end to tribalism, discrimination, and hatred, stressing that a coalition between the two parties will bring an end to all this.

He further noted that leadership should be judged by development records rather than rhetoric, giving an example of his opponents who have nothing to show.

Ruto described himself as a builder of governments, asserting that opponents lacking vision and development achievements will eventually exit the political scene. 

“My opponents have no plans, no vision, no agenda, and no development achievements. 

The people of Kisumu know this very well,” he added, asserting that on election day, his opponents would be defeated early. 

“They will go home early in the morning; they will have all been defeated,” he said.