Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has shared important demands that President William Ruto needs to meet before the opposition and government can work together.
Speaking to ODM members in Mombasa on Sunday, Odinga stressed that solving Kenya’s big challenges—like the high cost of living, issues in education, and problems in health care—is essential for any partnership to happen.
Odinga, an experienced opposition leader, said it is urgent to address problems that affect everyday Kenyans. He pointed out, “Our country has many challenges right now. The cost of living has gone up, prices are high, education is struggling, there are problems in health care, and young people and women are facing employment issues. All these need to be fixed,” he told the crowd of party supporters.
His statements show a shift in focus after he did not win the African Union Commission chairmanship earlier this year, as he now aims to tackle local issues.
The conditions set by Odinga are important for President Ruto, whose government has faced criticism for its economic policies and lack of transparency.
People close to the ODM leadership say these demands might involve clear policy changes, such as providing support to lower prices, increasing education funding, and creating job opportunities for young people and women.
This news comes after months of speculation about a possible partnership between Odinga and Ruto, especially following a private meeting in Mombasa on February 24, 2025.
This meeting suggested a possible agreement for a larger government framework, which could give ODM more senior roles.
However, there are many challenges to this cooperation. Experts point out the past conflicts between them, including the 2022 election that Odinga contested, and the protests led by young people in 2024 that pressured Ruto to include opposition figures in his cabinet.
Political expert Dr. Kamau Wairuri has warned that such a partnership could resemble the complicated 2008 Grand Coalition Government, where Odinga was Prime Minister amidst internal struggles.
“It’s a risky move—costly and messy,” Wairuri said, and many people have been discussing this online under the hashtag #PoliticalDeals.
Interest in “Raila Ruto Alliance 2025” has increased, showing that the public is curious about how this could affect the 2027 elections.
