SIAYA, Kenya — Kenyan President William Ruto has said that cooperation between his party and the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will be based on equality, trust and shared political gains.
Speaking during a visit to Siaya County on Sunday, the president emphasised that the working relationship between the two political formations would be structured to ensure both sides benefit.
“Our relationship with ODM is going to be a relationship of equals,” Ruto said.
The president noted that the party is currently under the leadership of Oburu Odinga and reiterated his commitment to maintaining a cooperative partnership.
“The party of ODM, under the leadership of Oburu. I did commit that we are going to be faithful to our relationship,” he said.
“It is going to be a relationship of equals; it is going to be a relationship with a win-win outcome.”
Ruto made the remarks while launching the Siaya Community Digital Hub in Bondo Town, a project aimed at expanding digital access and supporting entrepreneurship among young people.
During the visit, the president also addressed traders and residents, highlighting the government’s focus on empowering Kenya’s youth through technology, training and job creation initiatives.
According to Ruto, young people have often been portrayed as part of the country’s challenges, yet they hold the key to Kenya’s economic transformation.
“They are the assets that can turn Kenya into a first-world economy. It is on this basis that we have deliberately put in place measures to empower our youth and create gainful employment for them,” he said.
Kenya’s government has recently increased investment in digital infrastructure, innovation hubs and youth entrepreneurship programmes as part of its broader economic agenda.
Ruto has repeatedly called for closer political cooperation between his ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and ODM, arguing that national unity is essential for development and stability.
In January, the president made a public appeal for dialogue between the two parties during a visit to Kisumu, a traditional political stronghold of ODM.
Addressing residents at the Kondele Roundabout and Kisumu Stage, he directly asked locals whether they supported negotiations between UDA and ODM to form a political alliance.
“I want to make a personal appeal. Let us come together and have negotiations between ODM and UDA to form a coalition and build the next government. The two parties should talk and agree on how to move the country forward,” Ruto said.
The president argued that cooperation between the two major political parties could help reduce political divisions and promote national unity.
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He also urged Kenyans to move beyond ethnic politics, warning that tribalism and discrimination have long hindered national progress.
Despite advocating cooperation, Ruto also criticised his political rivals, suggesting that leadership should be judged by tangible development results rather than political rhetoric.
“My opponents have no plans, no vision, no agenda, and no development achievements. The people of Kisumu know this very well,” he said.
Ruto predicted that his political rivals would ultimately lose public support.
“They will go home early in the morning; they will have all been defeated,” he said.
Kenyan politics has been marked by shifting alliances in recent years, with analysts closely watching whether cooperation between UDA and ODM could reshape the country’s political landscape ahead of future elections.
