President William Ruto and Opposition leader Raila Odinga are working on a legal framework for a grand coalition ahead of the 2027 elections, in a likely game-changing realignment in Kenyan politics.

The two political nemeses-turned-friends are reportedly drafting a coalition agreement defining the structure and operational mechanisms of their proposed political union.

Should Raila give in to Ruto’s courtship, the former Prime Minister will reportedly be rewarded with the appointment of several of his allies to senior positions in Government, including Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries.

Some of Raila’s allies are said to be pushing for a 50-50 government-sharing arrangement by 2027.

Consultative meetings

The revelations emerged on a day that Raila, who began his meet-the-people consultative meetings yesterday in Kisumu, promised to make a major political announcement next week.

Raila reiterated that he would make known a comprehensive statement about his next political roadmap after wide consultations with the people.

“The African Union Commission (AUC) election is now a chapter behind us. I’m back home ready for the next move, about which I will tell Kenyans in the coming week,” he said during a press briefing.

The Orange party has called a meeting of the Central Management Committee on Monday, where the party is to float the proposal to join President Ruto’s government ahead of 2027.

The committee is a key organ of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and manages the party’s day-to-day activities.

On Friday, Raila is expected to attend the Western Kenya ODM delegates convention in Busia where the party will mark 20 years since it was formed.

Raila, who returned to Kenya on Monday from a one-week holiday in Dubai, met President Ruto and his allies in the coastal city of Mombasa.

With his elder brother and Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed (Suna East) and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, Raila said he was grateful to the government for its support during his campaign for the AUC seat.

Sources intimated to People Daily that President Ruto has embarked on crafting an alliance with Raila ahead of his re-election bid in 2027.

The President is hoping to use an alliance with Raila-led ODM to take on a spirited opposition coalition being crafted by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa.

The proposed legal instrument, insiders believe, will provide a basis for Ruto-Raila partnership and outline a power-sharing formula that would comprise inclusive government representation and roles for key stakeholders in any new coalition.

Crafting deal

Sources revealed that some Kenya Kwanza honchos are crafting a deal that will see Raila join the government as prime minister.

Insiders aver that the parties want to revisit the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, which had proposed constitutional amendments.

These included the creation of the position of leader of the official opposition, reintroduction of the prime minister role, and other governance adjustments aimed at enhancing inclusivity in government and national cohesion.

The NADCO report is being reviewed as a potential framework for power-sharing between ODM and United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Insiders indicate that ODM’s participation in government is central to the negotiations, with a focus on ensuring its representation in key decision-making structures.

In a TV appearance last week, Belgut MP Nelson Koech proposed Raila be into the government to offer counsel and support to President Ruto.

“We have to find a structure that will accommodate Raila Odinga to continue doing his job. I don’t think it is really about positions for Raila Odinga – it’s about the resources that he can give us,” said Koech.

Koech, a close ally of President Ruto and the chair of the National Assembly’s Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee, opined that Raila could be awarded his former premiership position in a grand coalition government.

“We could even do better by having the Office of the Prime Minister. I’m just having a wild thought about what could happen,” he said.

Structured arrangement

A legally structured way for Raila to join the government is a good idea, said Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo.

“In such cases, I have always advocated for a more structured arrangement, albeit there can be political arrangement and/or legal pacts or both. Whichever way, a structured format is the best and I support it,’’ said Amollo.

The presence of Raila’s lawyer Paul Mwangi at a Mombasa State House meeting between Raila and Ruto points to a possible crafting of a legal instrument that will bind the two leaders ahead of the 2027 polls.

Mwangi previously played significant roles in shaping Raila’s political strategies, including as an adviser during the drafting of the collapsed Building Bridges Initiative.

People Daily could not immediately confirm whether there was a signed document, as Mwangi did not return our calls nor respond to short messages sent to his known phone number.

However, sources, who sought anonymity for fear of reprisals, said Raila was promised five more Cabinet slots, 11 principal secretary positions, and ambassadorial and High Commission postings in the broad-based government.