NAIROBI – Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has confirmed that his collaboration with President William Ruto’s administration is strictly a temporary arrangement, set to expire at the end of Ruto’s current term in 2027. Speaking in an exclusive interview with NTV at his Karen residence on Sunday, Odinga dispelled rumours that he might extend his backing beyond one term.
“We have said that we are in the broad-based government until 2027. We did not say that we are going to work with UDA beyond 2027. Those are issues that we will discuss at the appropriate time, and the decision will be made by party members, not Raila Odinga alone,” he affirmed.
The articulation of this timeline comes amid widespread speculation that Odinga’s rapprochement with Ruto signals a deeper political realignment. Despite such conjecture, the veteran opposition figure insisted that any decisions regarding future alliances would emerge from internal ODM consultations rather than unilateral decrees.
Odinga reiterated that their joint efforts are intended to stabilize Kenya amid ongoing economic and social challenges. He warned against premature campaigning, urging stakeholders to remain focused on fulfilling government pledges rather than eyeing the 2027 succession.
At the same time, the ODM leader defended his push for a national dialogue—or “conclave”—as a people-driven initiative to tackle the country’s pressing issues. “This is not intended to help me or Ruto. It is a people’s process. Our problems will not be solved by chanting ‘Ruto must go.’ We must find a practical way of addressing these issues,” he stated.
When probed about his own presidential ambitions in 2027, Odinga remained noncommittal, noting that personal decisions would be taken “at the appropriate time.” His measured response is likely to fuel further debate within both the ruling coalition and the opposition.
Odinga also revisited the pivotal events of 2023, when opposition protests over electoral justice, the high cost of living, and corruption were met with heavy-handed police responses. “We lost about 70 lives. When we attempted to honour the victims, no judge allowed us a public memorial. We were forced to conduct it quietly,” he recalled, underscoring the human cost of political unrest.
As political tensions simmer ahead of the next general election, Odinga’s clear delimitation of his pact with Ruto provides a focal point for both allies and critics—marking a temporary alliance that, for now, hinges firmly on shared governance rather than shared political futures.
