President William Ruto is set to host a three-day political retreat in Naivasha with ODM leader Oburu Odinga and senior leaders from the two parties as the broad-based administration seeks to strengthen its alliance ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The high-level retreat, scheduled to begin on Sunday, August 9, will bring together governors, deputy governors and Members of Parliament allied to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
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.
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 selection of Ruto’s running mate is also expected to attract attention during the retreat, with competing interests emerging within the two parties over who should occupy the position.
Several ODM leaders have publicly backed Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya as a possible running mate for Ruto, a position that has created tension with politicians allied to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
The debate has increasingly become part of wider political calculations within the broad-based administration, with leaders from different regions positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 contest.
Political zoning is another potentially contentious issue expected to feature in discussions.
ODM has pushed for political zoning in areas regarded as its traditional strongholds, arguing that parties within the broad-based arrangement should respect each other's political bases.
UDA, however, has maintained that parties should be allowed to field candidates across the country in elective positions, with the presidency being the main exception.
The disagreement over zoning could become more pronounced as the parties begin preparations for candidate selection and negotiations ahead of the 2027 elections.
An invitation sent to MPs indicates that the retreat will be held at Lake Naivasha Resort.
Leaders are expected to check in on Sunday and depart on Tuesday.
The Naivasha meeting comes as Ruto and ODM leaders seek to give greater political direction to the broad-based administration, which was formed following the political understanding between Ruto and the late Raila Odinga.
The arrangement has brought together senior figures from the former political rivals, with ODM leaders joining the government and supporting cooperation on a range of national and political issues.
