Soon after President William Ruto formed his broad-based government that saw the inclusion of top Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders in his Cabinet, he has intensified forays into former opposition leader Raila Odinga’s strongholds in a perceived strategy to win their loyalty.

Though both President Ruto and Raila have publicly denied the existence of a coalition agreement between Kenya Kwanza and ODM, the two have sent mixed signals that have only left Kenyans speculating about an imminent political pact between the two ahead of 2027.

The President, who is on a three-day tour of Raila’s Nyanza backyard, first visited the Coast region, from where he had plucked Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho, before moving to Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya’s Western backyard. Both Joho and Oparanya were Raila’s deputies in ODM.

Besides Joho and Oparanya, Ruto also appointed John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi, who are Raila’s allies from Homa Bay and Siaya counties respectively.

Ruto’s forays into the Western, Coast and Nyanza regions that were hitherto hostile to the Kenya Kwanza government, have fuelled speculation about his determination to inherit Raila’s support bases as the veteran opposition leader shifts his attention to continental politics.

On Tuesday, President Ruto presided over the official launch of Raila’s campaign for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC) at a ceremony also attended by several leaders from the East African Community. It is not lost on observers that it was immediately after the event that President Ruto embarked on a whirlwind tour of Nyanza, where he has given indications that he may reach a pact with Raila’s ODM in 2027.

Ahead of his Nyanza tour, Raila’s allies, led by his brother Oburu Oginga and all governors from the region, had undertaken an aggressive offensive to rally the region to support the newly formed broad-based government.

“Everything is well choreographed and linked to the 2027 General Election, with President Ruto seeking to inherit the former prime minister’s backyard. He clearly wants to consolidate the areas behind him [to help him get re-elected] in 2027,” says Prof Macharia Munene, a lecturer at USIU-Africa and a political analyst.

Indeed, on Wednesday and yesterday, Raila’s allies hinted that they may work with the ruling party to form a political outfit ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking at the Posta grounds in Migori, President Ruto signalled the possibility of the two parties working together. “There will be some pronouncements to be made in the near future , but for now, let’s concentrate on development matters and then we will unveil other matters later,” Ruto declared.

Ethnic polarisation

Yesterday, President Ruto toured Homa Bay County in his second tour of Nyanza in recent months where he was flanked by several Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, high-ranking government officials, MPs and MCAs.

The President emphasised national unity to heal and help address  years of ethnic polarisation and foster a more inclusive society.

By focusing on common goals and shared values, he said, Kenyans can work together to build a stronger and a more cohesive nation.

“Only unity, and not tribal politics, will lead us to a more stable political environment, which is crucial for economic growth,’’ the President said.

The President had hinted at a future coalition with Opposition parties last Friday in Butere, Kakamega County, during a homecoming ceremony for Oparanya when he said UDA and ODM could either merge or form a coalition in 2027.

Yesterday, elected leaders indicated they may work with UDA in 2027 as President Ruto wooed the region with multibillion-shilling development projects.

Working relationship

Speaking in Migori and Homa Bay, ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga and deputy party leader Simba Arati supported the formation of a broad-based government and Raila’s bid for the AUC chairmanship.

Wanga and Arati asked residents of Nyanza to endorse the good working relationship between the President and Raila.

They hinted that the two parties might form a grand coalition in the run-up to the 2O27 General Election.

“If these people in UDA are giving you a hectic time in the party, then you should come back to your former party ODM so that …tutakupanga huko,” said Arati, teasing the President to dissolve the party into one outfit with ODM, given that they share similar democratic and political idelas.

Mbadi and Wandayi also weighed in on the debate, with the former asking the people of Nyanza to be wary of the friends they make.