From left: President William Ruto, ODM party leader Raila Odinga, and former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
A surprise meeting between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga amid push by President William Ruto to sign a political deal with the latter has lifted the lid on the scramble for the veteran politician ahead of 2027.
Mr Kenyatta and Mr Odinga were on Monday hosted by political wheeler dealer and Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe at his Watamu hotel. Also in the meeting was Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, who was with the former Prime Minister in his ongoing consultative meetings with his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members in the county.
The secret meeting that has since raised political eyebrows came even as President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has called for a meeting of its National Steering Committee – a top party organ, which is normally chaired by the party leader – this morning.
The meeting is expected to discuss details of the expected political pact between UDA and ODM. This even as a senior State House official told Nation that the deal could be signed as soon as this Friday.
Mr Murathe confirmed the Watamu meeting but denied any discussions around politics. He told Nation that Mr Odinga joined Mr Kenyatta at the hotel, insisting that the meeting was not planned.
“Baba (Raila) was in Kilifi for his ODM meetings. He was informed that Uhuru was around and he came. It was never planned,” said Mr Murathe. “He came with Governor Mung’aro, but he (governor) left much earlier. As a host, I served them tea,” he said.
Another ODM official, who spoke off record, said that Mr Odinga bumped into Mr Kenyatta, whom he claimed has been in Kilifi for the last one week.
“There was no planned meeting. They just bumped into each other at the hotel,” said the official.
Observers were however quick to make reference to a famous quote by former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt that in politics, nothing happens by accident.
“If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way,” Roosevelt once said.
Mr Odinga had last week announced his plans to consult widely with his friends and supporters before making a political move on whether to work with President Ruto or not.
“I am back home, I am going to meet my friends, my supporters, and I am going to consult widely. In due course we are going to announce a way forward. I just want to say watch this space I will be talking again,” said Mr Odinga, when he was hosted by President Ruto at State House, Mombasa.
President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at State House in Mombasa on February 24, 2025.
The party is scheduled to have yet another meeting of its Central Management Committee – a top organ of the party – tentatively by this week to take a position over the matter. The organ last Thursday held its first meeting in Kisumu to deliberate on the proposed cooperation deal with Dr Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The meeting is said to have created a technical team to be led by Prof Adams Oloo. Also in the team is lawyer Jackson Awele and other legal minds in the Orange party. The team, according to an ODM official, who spoke off record, has been tasked to go through a draft cooperation agreement.
The technical team is expected to report to ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, who would later present the document before the party’s Central Management Committee for a possible ratification. Mr Sifuna has, however, remained critical of President Ruto’s administration and has repeatedly said that the incumbent would lose even with the backing of Mr Odinga.
“The Central Management Committee can meet on short notice. We may need to do that as we process feedback from our consultations. Our party leader is very much in order to meet all leaders from different political backgrounds,” said Godfrey Osotsi, one of the ODM Deputy Party Leaders.
President Ruto and Mr Kenyatta are perceived to be pulling Mr Odinga in opposite directions ahead of the 2027 General Elections in which the former premier is likely to have a major sway on the presidential race.
Dr Ruto has shown his desire to have Mr Odinga in his corner for his 2027 re-election as he faces growing political hostility in Mt Kenya that formed a major voting plank for his 2022 election. On the other hand, Mr Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party is seen to be routing for former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
Although a recent visit by Dr Ruto to Mr Kenyatta’s Kiambu home, and subsequent appointments of individuals perceived to be close allies was seen as a political truce between the two leaders, recent developments show no love is lost between former political-allies-turned-foes.
In January, Mr Kenyatta told Gen Z – who had in last year put Dr Ruto in a major political siege that forced him to dissolve his Cabinet – to continue fighting for their rights.
“The problem with some is peddling fear, do not buy it. Nothing lasts forever. Gen Z, you are the story of the future. Fight for your rights, people. Do not just sit idly by and see everything you’ve worked for being taken away; do not let it happen. Stay the course to make sure you get your rights,” said Mr Kenyatta on January 17.
Mr Kenyatta has in the past not backed some of the negotiations that Mr Odinga has had with President Ruto, including the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) which came up with a raft of proposals, including creation of Office of the Official Opposition Leader and Prime Minister.
Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP –K) party leader Eugene Wamalwa, a close ally of Mr Kenyatta, was the only NADCO member that refused to sign the final document for failing to address the high cost of living then. There were also reports on how Mr Kenyatta made frantic efforts to have Mr Odinga pull out of the talks.
President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at State House in Mombasa on February 24, 2025.
On Monday, ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga said in an interview on NTV’s ‘Fixing the Nation’ morning show that the two parties were yet to enter a political pact.
"So far, there's no formal document defining the arrangement between ODM and Kenya Kwanza. That is why as soon as our party leader came back, he began consultations with his supporters," Governor Wanga pointed out.
"He (Raila) is continuing the consultations and will tell us the direction to take. That is what we are waiting for in the coming weeks. Currently, the arrangement is that we have people in ODM working for the executive. We have also seen the former DP telling Raila to make up his mind and we will look at everything,” she added.
Siaya Governor James Orengo at the weekend warned ODM against rushing into a deal, observing that such a move has a potential of hurting the 20-year-old political outfit.
“I appeal that we take time and observe the outcome of the consultations. You cannot be someone who rushes to grab any political opportunity that presents itself,” said Mr Orengo, who is among ODM politicians who are yet to embrace Kenya Kwanza administration.
“I want to caution some young elected leaders who are rushing to grab political opportunities to show some restraint. They should ask some of our sons who rushed into such opportunities. Let the consultations with the people continue, and I believe we shall find the right way to handle the current matter,” he added.
