Ruto Sets Eyes On Poaching More Raila Allies Ahead Of 2027 [VIDEO]

President William Ruto on Friday, August 30 teased at wooing more leaders from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party in what is now the most obvious hint at collaborating with the opposition party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ruto while addressing the residents of Ugunja in Siaya during Cabinet Secretary James Wandayi’s homecoming ceremony, revealed that he held talks with the leader of the Minority in the National Assembly Junet Mohamed on the next steps ahead of the next big general elections.

According to the Head of State, he reached an agreement with the party’s leadership to join him in 2027 and leave the responsibility of the opposition to fresh faces seeking to stop him from retaining his presidency for a second term.

President Ruto hints at forming alliance with ODM party ahead of 2027 general elections#ViralVideos pic.twitter.com/VNgNp7pf4c
— Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) August 30, 2024

“I want to say that now we have the new Leader of the Minority Junet Mohamed, and yesterday we agreed that after three years they will quit the role of the opposition and leave it for others,” Ruto revealed.

“Because all of us will be in government. After three years those looking for an opposition role can take it.” 

The Head of State termed the decision by Azimio la Umoja and ODM party leader, Raila Odinga, to work with him as the right one, stating “Raila Odinga knows what is good for Kenya.”

“I am sure that his stand to work with me for the stability, progress, and unity of our people is the right decision at this point,” Ruto added. 

President Ruto also dismissed allegations that he fooled Kenyans by including five ODM members in his new look, broad-based Cabinet.

The five include; Hassan Joho (Mining, Blue Economy), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSME Development), John Mbadi (National Treasury) Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum), and Beatrice Askul (EAC).

This notably comes after the opposition party denied reports that there were plans to ally with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ahead of the elections, arguing that it was solid as it was built on a strong foundation.

Media reports had claimed gossip in political circles that the party was planning to merge with the ruling party under the Kenya Kwanza coalition ahead of the polls.

On August 24, ODM deputy leader Simba Arati reiterated that the party had not entered into any pact with the UDA party, though extended an olive branch to Ruto in the event he felt like jumping ship to ODM.

“I want to say here openly that ODM has not agreed to any pact with UDA. What we did was give out our members to help the president move the government forward. Those from ODM that joined the government, don’t joke with the work. I ask to work until the president sees that ODM is a good party.

“Mr President, if the UDA members frustrate you, I want to assure you as the ODM deputy party leader that I will call you, we come and sit down, then see if we can go together in 2027,” Arati remarked.