The political contest that once saw President William Ruto and the late Raila Odinga share Narok's presidential vote could take a new turn in 2027, with Ruto saying the UDA-ODM partnership will now bring the two sides together.
Speaking on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, during the launch of construction works on the Enengetia–Olokurto–Olposimoru Road in Olokurto Village, Narok North Constituency, Ruto said the broad-based government arrangement had changed the political landscape in the county ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“You know, here in Narok, we used to compete with Raila Odinga. He would take half the votes, and I would take half, but in 2027, as you know, we have brought ODM and UDA together under the broad-based government, so the vote in Narok will be one hundred percent,” Ruto said.
The President pointed to the 2022 presidential election as an example of the close contest that has defined Narok politics.
Raila won the county with 129,566 votes against Ruto's 123,350, securing 50.86 per cent of the vote compared with Ruto's 48.42 per cent.
With UDA and ODM now working together under the broad-based government, Ruto said the two sides would no longer be competing for separate shares of support in the county.
Narok has remained an important political battleground, with the President now seeking to use the partnership with ODM to consolidate support ahead of the next election.
Ruto said the political arrangement was also aimed at moving the country away from divisive politics and ensuring development reaches every part of Kenya.
“I have said I will remove the politics of hatred and discrimination, and every part of Kenya will get development.”
Mau Forest title deed
The President also addressed the long-running environmental and land issues surrounding the Mau Forest, Kedong Ranch and Amboseli.
On the Mau Forest, Ruto said the government had secured the forest through a title deed arrangement and issued title deeds to residents who had been living in the area.
“On Mau, I told you it will no longer be politicised. We have issued a title deed for Mau, and it is now the property of Narok County. Nobody will step into Mau again. The residents who were living there have been given title deeds. Mau is now secure, and what remains is to put up a fence around it,” he said.
The Mau Forest Complex is a major water catchment, with forest degradation linked to reduced water infiltration, drying of springs, erosion and flooding downstream.
Ruto said the forest's role in supporting the environment made its protection necessary.
“Mau helps us by bringing rain and supporting environmental matters.”
Kedong land dispute
The President also said the government had addressed part of the long-running Kedong land dispute after setting aside 10,000 acres for local residents.
“On Kedong, I have finished the matter. I gave out 10,000 acres and said they should belong to the people,” the President maintained.
The government had previously announced the acquisition of 6,000 additional acres from Kedong Ranch, on top of 4,000 acres already allocated, bringing the total to 10,000 acres.
The land has for years been the subject of disputes over ownership and community interests.
Amboseli management
Ruto further defended the transfer of Amboseli National Park's management to Kajiado County, saying the decision had been made in accordance with the law.
The park is a major wildlife tourism destination, known for its elephants, wetlands and views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The wider Amboseli ecosystem also includes community-owned areas that serve as wildlife dispersal zones, making cooperation with local communities important to conservation.
Management of the park was formally transferred from the national government to Kajiado County in November 2025.
The President dismissed legal challenges against the transfer, urging those who had gone to court to drop what he described as unnecessary disputes and insisting that the process had been conducted lawfully.
He further said the Maasai Mara and Amboseli should not be viewed solely through county boundaries, arguing that Kenya's wider development and conservation interests should go beyond political and administrative divisions.