[PHOTOS] Ruto, Oburu co-chair UDA-ODM high-level meeting at State House

Some of the leaders from UDA and ODM during the high-level consultative meeting at State House, Nairobi, on April 23, 2026. /PCS

President William Ruto on Thursday hosted top officials from the United Democratic Alliance and the Orange Democratic Movement at State House, Nairobi, in a fresh push to strengthen cooperation between the two parties.

The meeting brought together officials from the UDA Steering Committee and the ODM Central Management Committee and was co-chaired by President Ruto and ODM party leader Oburu Oginga.

According to a State House statement, the leaders agreed to establish a Broad-Based Management Committee comprising the two party leaders, selected Cabinet ministers and the Majority and Minority leaders in Parliament.

The committee will coordinate and synchronise the legislative and executive agenda of the government to improve efficiency and service delivery.

The meeting comes amid growing political discussions around the relationship between ODM and UDA ahead of the 2027 General Election.

In recent weeks, ODM has held internal meetings to deliberate on possible structured engagement with UDA, with party leader Oburu saying the agenda for the talks was still being drafted by a technical team.

Oburu had said public discussions on the details of the talks were premature, insisting that only the party’s technical team would determine the final agenda before it is made public.

The State House meeting signals a major step in formalising the engagement between the two parties, even as some leaders within ODM continue to demand respect for the party’s identity and principles in the broad-based arrangement.

Among leaders present were Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, UDA chairperson Cecily Mbarire, Secretary General Hassan Omar and other senior officials from both political formations.

The talks are expected to shape the political landscape as parties position themselves for future alliances, governance priorities and the 2027 succession politics.

President William Ruto and UDA chairperson Cecily Mbarire arrive for the UDA Steering Committee and ODM Central Management Committee meeting at State House, Nairobi, on April 23, 2026. /PCS

ODM party leader Oburu Oginga and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot arrive for the UDA Steering Committee and ODM Central Management Committee meeting at State House, Nairobi, on April 23, 2026. /PCS

Some of the leaders from UDA and ODM during the high-level consultative meeting at State House, Nairobi, on April 23, 2026. /PCS

President William Ruto, ODM party leader Oburu Oginga and leaders from UDA and ODM pose for a group photo during the high-level meeting at State House, Nairobi, on April 23, 2026. /PCS

A section of the leaders from UDA and ODM during the high-level consultative meeting at State House, Nairobi, on April 23, 2026. /PCS

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki attends the UDA Steering Committee and ODM Central Management Committee meeting at State House, Nairobi, on April 23, 2026. /PCS

ODM party chairperson Gladys Wanga, National Assembly Minority leader Junet Mohamed and ODM acting SG Catherine Omanyo during the high-level consultative meeting at State House, Nairobi, on April 23, 2026. /PCS

Some of the leaders from UDA and ODM during the high-level consultative meeting at State House, Nairobi, on April 23, 2026. /PCS

Some of the leaders from UDA and ODM during the high-level consultative meeting at State House, Nairobi, on April 23, 2026. /PCS