President William Ruto on Monday used a meeting of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Governing Council (NGC) at State House, Nairobi, to press a broad unity agenda, as the ruling party formally endorsed coalition talks with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and reviewed the government’s development record midway to the 2027 elections.
Addressing a gathering of 164 MPs, 18 governors, 14 deputy governors and 910 MCAs, President Ruto said UDA was evolving from an election vehicle into a durable national party anchored on inclusion and long-term governance.
“The UDA is being transformed into a national political party whose vision transcends short-term politics,” he told the leaders, arguing that inclusive governance was essential to national cohesion and stability.
The President said the proposed UDA-ODM coalition was part of a deliberate effort to broaden political consensus and consolidate national unity, while also strengthening the party’s electoral prospects in 2027.
He noted that UDA won the 2022 election by a narrow margin of about 200,000 votes and said the party was now targeting a decisive victory.
“This election, we want to win with a margin of between two million and three million votes,” he said, adding that unity politics would give the government space to sustain and deepen its reform agenda.
“From the position I hold, I can tell you that there is enough for every Kenyan. One does not need to miss out for another to get. There is an opportunity for us to fit in one government,” Ruto said.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki used the forum to outline the administration’s development scorecard over the past three years, citing progress in agricultural production, universal health coverage, electricity connections, affordable housing and access to credit.
President Ruto said these gains reflected the government’s commitment to delivering the 2022 UDA manifesto.
“We are pleased we have been faithful, page by page and chapter by chapter, in the delivery of this contract with Kenyans,” he said.
The President also defended the privatisation of selected state-owned entities, saying proceeds from Safaricom, Kenya Pipeline Company and others would be channelled into mega infrastructure projects, including roads, dams, airports, railways and power generation.
On party organisation, Ruto announced repeat grassroots elections in polling centres where turnout fell below 50 members, insisting that internal democracy was key to UDA’s strength.
He said the process would eventually fill 580,000 party positions from the grassroots to the national level.
UDA Secretary-General Omar Hassan confirmed that the NGC approved the proposed coalition talks with ODM, while party chairperson Cecily Mbarire said the Social Health Authority had disbursed Sh16.79 billion to county hospitals since October 2024.
“The work of SHA is transforming lives at the counties and supporting universal health coverage,” Mbarire said.
The meeting highlighted UDA’s focus on unity politics, internal democracy and performance-based messaging as it positions itself for the next general election.
