The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Executive Committee (NEC) has formally mandated party leader President William Ruto to initiate structured coalition negotiations with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision, reached during an NEC meeting held in Nairobi on Wednesday, January 14, signals UDA’s intention to formalise and strengthen its growing political partnership with ODM, amid divisions within the opposition over whether to support President Ruto’s re-election bid.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting chaired by President Ruto, the NEC said it had taken note of ODM’s decision—through its Central Management Committee—to pursue formal talks with UDA within the Kenya Kwanza Coalition.
Following this acknowledgement, the NEC resolved to place responsibility for steering the engagement on the party leader.
“The NEC mandated the UDA party leader to establish mechanisms for structured engagement with the ODM party to achieve the desired outcome,” the communiqué stated.
Growing Political Partnership
The NEC noted that the decision builds on an already active political partnership between UDA and ODM. The two parties have collaborated in adopting the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) Report of 2024, whose legislative proposals have been tabled in both Houses of Parliament.
The partnership has also supported the formation of a broad-based administration, with ODM members taking up various roles in government.
Additionally, the NEC cited the March 7, 2025 memorandum of understanding, anchored on a 10-point agenda, and the establishment of a bipartisan implementation committee as key milestones in the cooperation.
Grassroots Elections Review
Beyond coalition matters, the NEC reviewed the outcome of UDA’s grassroots elections conducted on January 10, 2026, across 20 counties.
According to the party:
- 492,439 candidates contested for 231,770 seats
- Elections were held in 17,953 polling centres
- About 2.4 million party members participated
- 56% of those elected were male, 44% female, and 33% youth
However, the NEC acknowledged that elections were not concluded in some areas.
It directed the National Elections Board to conduct repeat elections within 30 days in polling centres where voting did not take place or where participation was inadequate. Ward-level party elections are also to be held nationwide within 30 days after the repeat polls.
To resolve internal disputes, the NEC further instructed the Electoral and Nomination Dispute Resolution Committee to conclude all pending cases in line with the party constitution
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