President William Ruto speaks during the Broad-Based govenment leaders meeting in Naivasha on August 10, 2026./PCS
President William Ruto and ODM party leader Oburu Odinga consult during the Broad-Based Government Leaders meeting in Naivasha on August 10, 2026./PCSPresident William Ruto has confirmed that Kenya Kwanza and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have agreed to form a coalition to contest the 2027 General Election.
The announcement now sets the stage for a major political realignment ahead of the polls.
Ruto made the announcement in Naivasha on Monday during a media briefing by the Broad-Based Government Principal Group, saying the agreement followed consultations within the two political formations.
He said the partnership will be anchored on a joint manifesto that will set out the coalition’s agenda for the 2027 election.
“After consultations and within our respective parties and formations, the Kenya Kwanza and Orange Democratic Movement have today formally resolved to develop a joint manifesto for the next election and constitute a coalition to contest the 2027 General Election,” Ruto said.
Ruto said the partnership would seek the mandate of Kenyans in the August 2027 election.
“This formalises the political partnership we have built and gives it a clear mandate to consolidate the progress we have made, carry the reforms underway to completion, and present to the people of Kenya a common programme for the next phase of our national transformation,” Ruto said.
“What began as cooperation in government will become a common political platform upon which we shall seek the mandate of the Kenyan people in August next year.”
President William Ruto speaks during the Broad-Based Government Leaders Meeting in Naivasha on August 10, 2026./PCS
ODM has nominated Isaac Waluke, Mariam Abdulahi Mbaruk, Leonida Kerubo Omosa and Kari Orege to the team, with Benard Muok serving as an ex-officio member.
Kenya Kwanza has nominated Emmanuel Nzai, Dr Daniel Mwai, Bramwel Simiyu and Dr Cecilia Ng’etich. UDA Executive Director Nicodemus Bore will serve as the formation’s ex-officio representative.
President William Ruto speaks during the Broad-Based Government Leaders Meeting in Naivasha on August 10, 2026./PCS
Ruto said the team, formed jointly with ODM leader Oburu Oginga, has been given a broader responsibility than simply producing a campaign document.
According to the President, the manifesto will be based on areas where the two formations share values and priorities, while also incorporating views gathered from Kenyans through the national conversation on Kenya Beyond Vision 2030.
It will also draw from the National Development Charter expected to emerge from the public dialogue.
“Their task is not simply to produce a political document. The manifesto will draw from our shared values and priorities while being informed by the aspirations, ideas, and priorities expressed by Kenyans, including through the national conversation on Kenya Beyond Vision 2030, and reflected in the National Development Charter that will emerge from it,” Ruto said.
President William Ruto speaks during the Broad-Based Government Leaders Meeting in Naivasha on August 10, 2026./PCS
The technical team will identify areas of agreement between the two political formations, harmonise issues requiring consensus and develop policies targeting Kenyans’ economic, social and governance priorities.
The process is expected to provide the policy foundation for the coalition’s campaign ahead of the 2027 General Election.
At the same time, Ruto and Oburu will each nominate five members to a separate team that will work on the coalition’s framework.
The second team will be responsible for developing the proposed coalition’s governance structures and leadership arrangements.
Ruto said the work of formalising the coalition framework will begin immediately, marking a significant step in the political partnership between Kenya Kwanza and ODM ahead of the 2027 polls.
The President also said the Broad-Based Coalition would participate fully in the national conversation on Kenya Beyond Vision 2030, which is set to be launched on Wednesday, August 12.
Ruto said the country's future should be shaped through the participation of Kenyans rather than being determined solely by the government, Parliament or political parties.
“As the Broad-Based Coalition, we resolve to participate fully in the national conversation on Kenya Beyond Vision 2030, which will be launched on Wednesday the 12th this August. We believe Kenya’s future cannot be designed by government alone, parliament alone, or political parties alone. It must be shaped by you, the people of Kenya, by your aspirations, experiences, and hopes for the future.”
He noted that Kenya had made progress over the past 15 years in deepening democracy, entrenching devolution, strengthening constitutional institutions, defending the rule of law and expanding political freedoms.
“We must continue to protect the gains we have made,” he said.
