Broad-based leaders set for 3-day Naivasha retreat as coalition talks gather pace

Broad-based leaders are set for a three-day retreat in Naivasha starting Sunday, in what has been seen as a meeting to put the broad-based house in order ahead of the August 2027 General Election.

The meeting in Naivasha will also see several sticky issues put on the table including the setting up of a team to begin coalition talks between the two parties as well as the now contentious running mate position.

This even as President William Ruto and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Oginga plan to meet broad-based Governors, Deputy Governors, Members of Parliament and their Speakers ahead of 2027 presidential contest.

“We’re checking in tomorrow, Sunday evening, then hold sessions all the way to Monday 4pm,” said National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.

The high-level meeting comes as the Kenya Kwanza administration faces sustained attacks from the United Opposition, with broad-based leaders now pushing for a new strategy to roll out nationwide campaigns to drum up support for President Ruto.

Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo said: “We are keen as ODM to know how are we moving forward as broad-based government.”

“We are formatting the way forward on what we intend to do in the next one year in the run up to the general election,” added Ichung’wah.

As the leaders troop to Naivasha, some the issues that are up for discussion include the implementation of the NADCO report, the status of compensation of protests victims that has since degenerated into a protracted legal battle as well as the recently unveiled Vision 2060.

“Those of us in the broad-based government are clear in our minds how we intend to move forward,” stated Ichung’wah.

The elephant in the room will be the plan to move the ODM-UDA partnership forward ahead of the next general election.

In the Naivasha retreat, the two parties are expected to establish a framework to start coalition talks including establishing a talks team that will be holding negotiations on the power sharing plan for the two parties.

“As we move to forming a coalition, ODM must be given the deputy president slot,” Madzayo said.

Ichung'wah noted: “Our two leaders had told us that we work towards forming a team for negotiations and talks. We can't pre-empt what will take place in the meeting but we will give a press briefing at 4pm on Monday.”

The battle for the running mate position will dominate the Naivasha retreat as the ODM party is pushing for a 50-50 power sharing plan.

ODM further wants to zone all its strongholds from UDA forays as part of irreducible minimums in the talks.

Madzayo said: “If UDA is giving the president, ODM will give the running mate. It is as simple as that. We will not blink in the retreat.”

“We are very confident that we will form the next government with ODM,” Ichung’wah stated.

The meeting will also be keen on drafting a joint manifesto to rally Kenyans behind the broad-based development agenda.