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President William Ruto (second left) Deputy President Kithure Kindiki (left) UDA chairperson Cecily Mbarire and party Secretary- General Omar Hassan during UDA National Governing Council meeting at State House, Nairobi, on January 26, 2026.
President William Ruto says his planned pre-election coalition with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will secure him a landslide victory of up to three million votes against the Opposition in the 2027 General Election.
The President said the proposed deal would significantly expand the ruling alliance’s national support base, widening his winning margin from about 200,000 votes in 2022 to between two and three million votes.
He spoke while leading the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Governing Council (NGC) in endorsing coalition talks with ODM.
The meeting brought together all elected party leaders, including 164 MPs, 18 governors, 14 deputy governors and 910 MCAs.
In the 2022 presidential election, Dr Ruto won with 7,176,141 votes, narrowly edging out his main challenger, the late Raila Odinga, who garnered 6,942,930.
Before his death on October 15, 2025, Mr Odinga had entered into a broad-based government arrangement with Dr Ruto’s UDA.
President William Ruto during the UDA National Governing Council meeting at State House, Nairobi on January 26, 2026.
ODM has since mandated party leader Dr Oburu Oginga, through its Central Management Committee, to continue coalition negotiations.
“In the coming election, we want to win by a margin of between two and three million votes so that we can unite the country and walk together,” President Ruto said. “In the last election, we won by a margin of 200,000 votes. There is justification for us to consolidate the country into one.”
He added that while his administration had a strong development record and a clear transformation agenda, a political strategy was necessary to safeguard those gains. “A coalition with ODM will underwrite that strategy,” he said.
In 2022, the 10 Mt Kenya counties and seven North Rift counties delivered about 4.5 million votes to Dr Ruto, accounting for roughly 63 per cent of his total tally. The Mt Kenya region alone — including Laikipia, Tharaka-Nithi, Murang’a, Kiambu, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Embu, Meru and Nakuru — contributed 2,938,309 votes, while the North Rift added about 1.6 million.
However, Mt Kenya is widely perceived to be drifting away from the Kenya Kwanza administration following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who is viewed as a key political figure from the region.
Against this backdrop, Dr Ruto appears to be courting support from regions that traditionally backed Mr Odinga, notably Nyanza, Western Kenya and the Coast, which stood by him in his presidential bids in 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2022.
At the same time, the President and his deputy, Prof Kithure Kindiki, have intensified political engagement in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region after months of reduced activity.
Increased rallies, revitalisation of UDA grassroots structures through internal elections and the rollout of major national government projects are among the strategies being pursued as the 2027 race approaches.
Opposition leaders, however, dismissed the President’s assertions as unrealistic.
President William Ruto, Deputy President Prof Kindiki Kithure and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi arrive for the UDA National Governing Council meeting at State House, Nairobi.
“President Ruto, like any other human being, has a right to dream and to dream big. But there is wisdom in not making wild dreams public,” Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua told Nation. “Going by the mood in the country, winning the presidency next year is not an option available to President Ruto. He will be lucky to get three million votes nationally.”
Gatanga MP Edward Muriu, a close ally of Mr Gachagua, said the President’s remarks hinted at plans to manipulate the 2027 election.
“Systematic bribery of voters in hostile regions using food and money, secretive voter registration in presumed strongholds, and delays in ID issuance to youth in opposition areas all point to a pre-rigged election,” Mr Muriu alleged.
He further accused the government of using intimidation to weaken the Opposition, citing what he described as attacks on Mr Gachagua and the Mt Kenya community.
President Ruto, however, said his re-election bid would be anchored on his administration’s delivery record. He cited commitments in the 2022 UDA manifesto, including investment in agriculture, expansion of affordable credit, job creation and the rollout of universal healthcare.
“Our commitment to moving Kenya to a first-world economy is on a solid foundation,” he said, challenging rivals to present alternative plans and scorecards.
At the State House meeting, the President said UDA was being transformed into a strong national party with a long-term vision. The gathering was also attended by Githunguri MP Gathoni wa Muchomba and Juja MP George Koimburi, both formerly allied to Mr Gachagua.
Deputy President Kindiki outlined development gains over the past three years, citing improvements in agricultural productivity, healthcare, electricity connectivity, affordable housing and access to credit.
The President also defended the privatisation of State-owned enterprises, saying proceeds from firms such as Safaricom and Kenya Pipeline Company would fund infrastructure projects, including roads, dams, airports, railways and expanded power generation.
On UDA grassroots elections, he announced repeat polls in centres where turnout fell below 50 members, ahead of a national phase that will fill 580,000 party positions.
UDA chairperson Cecily Mbarire said the Social Health Authority had paid Sh16.79 billion to county hospitals since October 1, 2024, praising its role in advancing universal health coverage.
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