President William Ruto has confirmed that Kenya Kwanza and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have agreed to work together in the 2027 General Election, formally taking their cooperation under the broad-based government into the next electoral cycle.
Ruto made the announcement on Monday, August 10, during the Broad-Based Government Principal Group media briefing. He said the decision was reached after consultations within the two political parties and their respective political formations.
According to the President, the two sides will now work on a joint manifesto that will outline the issues and plans they intend to present to Kenyans ahead of the 2027 election.
Ruto said the agreement will also see Kenya Kwanza and ODM form a coalition that will contest the next General Election as partners.
The move gives a formal political structure to the cooperation that has been taking place between members of the two sides under the broad-based government.
“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.
As part of the process, the two sides have agreed to establish a joint team that will bring together representatives from Kenya Kwanza and ODM. The team will be responsible for developing the manifesto that the coalition plans to present to the Kenyan people before the election.
ODM has already named five representatives to take part in the process. They are Isaac Waluke, Mariam Abdulahi Mbaruk, Leonida Kerubo Omosa, Kari Orege and Benard Muok.
The development marks an important step in the political relationship between Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza and ODM, which has changed significantly since the 2022 General Election. The two political sides had previously been on opposite ends of the political divide, with ODM leader Raila Odinga leading the opposition against Ruto’s administration.
Their cooperation became more visible after the 2024 political changes that led to the formation of the broad-based government. Leaders from both sides have since worked together in government on various national issues.
The announcement now moves that cooperation into the electoral space, with the two sides preparing to seek a fresh mandate from Kenyans in 2027.
The joint manifesto is expected to provide the coalition with a common policy platform and outline the issues it will take to voters.
The details of the agreement, including the coalition’s wider leadership structure and its approach to the 2027 race, are expected to become clearer as the joint team continues its work.
