ODM and UDA have formally resolved to work together in the 2027 General Election, with ODM agreeing not to field a presidential candidate and instead support President William Ruto’s bid for a second and final term.
The agreement marks a formalisation of the political partnership between the two parties, which has been developing through their cooperation in the Broad-Based Government.
President William Ruto said the partnership will now focus on consolidating the government’s progress, completing ongoing reforms and presenting Kenyans with a common programme for the next phase of the country’s development.
“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.
Ruto said the two parties had also agreed to establish a joint team to develop a common manifesto ahead of the August 2027 election.
“Accordingly, we have agreed to establish a joint team comprising five members from each party to develop a common manifesto that we shall ultimately place before you, the people of Kenya, in the 2027 General Election,” he said.
ODM has nominated Isaac Wanuge, Maryam Abdullahi Mbaruk, Leonida Kerubo Omosa, Engineer Carrey Orege and Professor Bernard Muok to the team, with the ODM Executive Director serving as an ex officio member.
UDA has nominated Emmanuel Nzai, Dr Daniel Mwai, Bramwel Simiyu, Mohammed Hassan and Dr Cecilia Ngetich, with the UDA Executive Director also serving as an ex officio member.
Ruto said the team’s mandate will go beyond drafting a campaign document.
“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 through the National Conversation on Kenya Beyond Vision 2030 and reflected in the National Development Charter that will emerge from it,” he said.
The team will identify common priorities, harmonise areas where consensus is required and develop policies addressing the economic, social and governance needs of Kenyans.
Ruto also announced that the two party leaders will each nominate five members to a second joint team.
The second team will be responsible for preparing the coalition framework agreement, recommending governance structures and principles to guide the partnership, and proposing leadership arrangements for the coalition.
The President said the process was aimed at creating a common political platform ahead of the 2027 polls.
“These decisions mark an important new chapter in our partnership. What began as cooperation in government will now become a common political platform upon which we shall seek the mandate of the Kenyan people in August 2027,” Ruto said.
He said the two parties’ cooperation was no longer limited to their work in government, but would now extend to developing a shared political programme and leadership proposition for the next election.