The United Democratic Alliance National Executive Committee has given President William Ruto the green light to start formal talks with the Orange Democratic Movement for a possible coalition ahead of the 2027 general election.
The decision came during a meeting held in Nairobi on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. UDA leaders say the move builds on the cooperation that started in 2024 and has continued through joint cabinet appointments, shared by-election wins and regular high-level dialogues between the two parties.
The NEC meeting lasted several hours. Members discussed the current political landscape, the state of the economy and the need for stability going forward. After long debate, the committee passed a resolution that authorises Ruto to lead negotiations with ODM.
The resolution also directs the party secretariat to set up a small team that will handle the technical side of the talks. No names have been released yet, but sources close to the process say the group will include senior officials from both sides.
This step is not a surprise. Since mid-2024 the two parties have worked closely together. ODM nominated several people who joined the cabinet after the broad-based government arrangement. Raila Odinga’s allies have taken up roles in key ministries.
In return, UDA has supported ODM candidates in some by-elections, especially in western Kenya and parts of the coast. The arrangement has helped both sides avoid costly fights in areas where they used to compete head-on.
ODM leaders have already started laying the groundwork on their side. Dr Oburu Odinga, Raila’s elder brother, has held several meetings with party elders, governors and MPs. He has been explaining the benefits of a long-term partnership.
Oburu has told them that working with the government gives ODM a chance to influence policy and deliver projects in their strongholds. Several governors from the ODM side have publicly backed the idea. They say the current cooperation has brought more development funds to their counties than before.
On the UDA side, Senator Kiprotich Arap Cherargei spoke positively about the NEC decision. He said the move shows maturity and a desire for national unity.
Cherargei argued that Kenya cannot afford endless political fighting while people deal with high living costs and joblessness. He called on all leaders to put the country first.
Not everyone agrees. Some voices within ODM, especially younger MPs, remain sceptical. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has been one of the loudest critics. He says the party risks losing its identity if it gets too close to the ruling side.
Owino has warned that ODM could end up carrying the blame for tough economic decisions made by the government. He has urged members to think carefully before any final deal is signed.
The talks will likely cover several issues. Power-sharing arrangements, the running mate question for 2027, cabinet slots and how to handle the bottom-up economic agenda are expected to come up early.
Both parties will also want to discuss how to manage their strongholds so they do not cancel each other out in the vote.
The political class is watching closely. A formal UDA-ODM coalition would change the game ahead of 2027. It could create a very strong bloc that would be hard to beat. At the same time, it might push other parties to form their own alliances.
The Kenya Kwanza coalition already has internal cracks, and some partners are unhappy with the growing ODM influence and cordial relationship with its party leader.
Food prices are still high, jobs are hard to find and the cost of living keeps rising. Many people say they care more about bread on the table than who shakes hands with whom in Nairobi.
The negotiations are expected to take several weeks. No date has been set for the first formal meeting, but insiders say it could happen before the end of January.
