Ruto, Raila to Co-Host ODM–UDA Parliamentary Group Meeting

File image of President Ruto and Raila Odinga.

Preparations have been completed for a historic joint parliamentary group (PG) meeting that will unite lawmakers from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

The meeting scheduled for Monday at the KCB Leadership Centre in Nairobi will be co-chaired by President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

This session marks the first joint meeting since the two parties signed a ten-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in October of the previous year.

The agreement, founded on a comprehensive government framework, aims to promote unity, steer economic and social reforms, and strengthen cooperation between the two political factions.

Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Minority Leader Junet Mohamed stated that the meeting's agenda will cover discussions on enhancing national unity, assessing the progress of implementing the MoU, and planning the next steps for shared policy priorities.

File image of President William Ruto (UDA Party Leader) and ODM leader Raila Odinga sign a cooperation agreement at KICC. (Photo: KBC)

“We are going to have a parliamentary group meeting of Kenya Kwanza members of Parliament and ODM party on Monday that will be chaired by yourself and our party leader Baba Raila Amolo Odinga, and we’re going to discuss agendas that are going to take the country forward,” said Junet Mohamed.

This weekend at the KCB Leadership Centre, preparations were in full swing as service providers worked to prepare the venue.

President Ruto and Raila established a five-member committee last week, led by Agnes Zani, the former Secretary-General of ODM, to oversee the execution of the MoU and the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report. This report addresses the politically sensitive matter of compensating victims from last year's protests.

However, the collaboration between ODM and UDA has faced strong criticism from the opposition, spearheaded by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka. On Saturday, Kalonzo accused ODM of trying to engage with both sides of the political spectrum.

“ODM has one leg in government and one leg in the Opposition. They should do the honourable thing — should they consummate the marriage on Monday to UDA with a joint PG — and vacate the offices of the Minority, including Leader and Chief Whip of both Houses,” Kalonzo said.

The joint PG occurs at a politically sensitive time, with several upcoming by-elections in constituencies where candidates associated with both ODM and UDA are anticipated to compete against each other. The manner in which the two parties handle these contests could challenge the strength of their alliance.

Senior leaders from both parties state that the ten-point MoU encompasses commitments to: increase devolution funding, tackle the high cost of living, pursue electoral and constitutional reforms, empower youth and create jobs, ensure equitable resource distribution, promote national reconciliation, enhance security, revitalize agriculture, foster inclusivity, and implement the NADCO report.

These points will be crucial to Monday's discussions as both parties seek to align their parliamentary strategies.

If the meeting is successful, it will represent a pivotal moment in Kenya's political scene, further obscuring the distinction between government and opposition and transforming the nation's multiparty framework.