UDA will not Shortchange ODM in Coalition Agreement, Says President Ruto

President William Ruto has dismissed fears that the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA )would short-change the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in their coalition negotiations ahead of the 2027 polls, insisting that the parties are equal partners. Speaking during a service at ACK St Michael's & All Angels Cathedral in Bondo, Ruto emphasised his commitment to the coalition, which he described as a “relationship of equals” with a “win-win outcome” for both parties. “The party of ODM under the leader and the leadership of ODM, I committed that I’m going to be faithful to our commitment,” Ruto said. ODM boss Oburu Oginga, who spoke shortly before the President at the same event, reiterated that ODM is seeking its fair share of the coalition’s political spoils. “As we prepare, we want to negotiate so that we can have something that we deserve. We don’t want something from the mountain. We just want our share as ODM,” he said. The Siaya senator said the party was preparing a negotiating team to engage with the President’s UDA. He emphasised that ODM supporters have resolved to back Ruto’s re-election in the 2027 general election. The leaders spoke at a time when Oburu has been receiving criticism over what critics term rushed coalition negotiations. Both leaders used the occasion to push back against critics of the broad-based government and the coalition’s 10-point agenda, a framework launched last year to steer development and governance reforms. President Ruto said a detailed report on the progress of the agenda would be presented to the public on Tuesday. “We are going to tell the citizens of our nation what we have achieved as a broad-based organisation. We welcome the noisemakers and the naysayers, and those in between, to come and listen to us. We know where we want to take this country,” Ruto said. He highlighted strides made in devolution, inclusion, anti-corruption measures, government efficiency and managing challenges arising from public demonstrations. Oburu supported the President’s assessment, noting that despite public scepticism, significant progress has been made. “We have gone through that report with the President. We have seen that there is a lot of progress that has been made, yet some people claim there is zero progress in the 10-point agenda. “They don’t take the time to go through the details and see what has been implemented and what has not,” he said. A faction of ODM led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has been faulting the government over what they term the non-implementation of the 10-point agenda. Oburu said ODM remains committed to the broad-based arrangement. “Our people are happy. If they are happy with you, you see it in their faces. If not, you also feel it. Our people were not born to be in opposition forever. Let others taste opposition; we have been there long enough,” he said. “We shall be coming through the front door because this time we came through the window,” Oburu said.