The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party is expected to hold a meeting of its National Steering Committee (NSC) on Wednesday.
The meeting
will reportedly ratify a working arrangement with former Prime Minister
Raila Odinga.
The NSC, a key decision-making organ of the UDA, has the authority to approve major decisions, including alliances and coalitions.
The meeting, which will be chaired by President William Ruto, the UDA party leader, comes when he has reaffirmed plans to broaden the government’s political base further.
It is understood that the NSC will be briefed on the framework of the proposed collaboration between UDA and Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Raila is expected to conclude his ongoing grassroots consultations with his supporters later this week, with the deal between ODM and UDA reportedly set to be signed by Friday.
He has been engaging political leaders from his Luo Nyanza stronghold and parts of Western Kenya and is now traversing the Coast region to gather views from his supporters before making a final decision.
A top UDA official confirmed that the NSC meeting will take place but remained tight-lipped about its details, saying only that “it is an important meeting.”
“Oh yes, it is an important party meeting,” the official said without disclosing specifics on the agenda.
Reports suggest that the team formed by Raila and Ruto to negotiate the terms of their collaboration has completed its work, paving the way for the two leaders to formalize their cooperation.
Once the
agreement is signed, ODM is expected to secure additional government
appointments, including positions for Cabinet Secretaries, Principal
Secretaries, and ambassadors.
As Ruto and Raila race against time to finalize the deal, ODM’s Central Management Committee (CMC) is also scheduled to hold a meeting on Thursday or Friday.
The CMC will review a report prepared by a technical committee tasked with negotiating the working arrangement with UDA.
The organ previously met in Kisumu on February 27, where it discussed the proposed partnership and assigned the Adams Oloo-led team to refine the details.
ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi told the Nation that the CMC can convene on short notice.
“We may need to do that as we process feedback from consultations. Our party chief is within his mandate to engage leaders from various political backgrounds,” Osotsi said.
