Following ODM deputy Simba Arati's recent overture in Eldoret, President William Ruto has called for a strengthened Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to negotiate a new agreement for a 2027 coalition government.
Building on ODM deputy leader Simba Arati's December 15 call in Eldoret for President Ruto to rejoin ODM and bolster the Government of National Unity, Ruto addressed the 5th Piny Luo Festival in Migori on December 17, 2025. He publicly declared his intention to form a new agreement with ODM for the 2027 government, urging the party to unite and build strength for effective bargaining.
"I am calling on the ODM party to strategise itself and remain strong. We want a strong ODM so that we can plan Kenyan affairs together," Ruto said. He added, "If you make ODM stronger, I will also make my party UDA stronger so that we can meet and form a government through an agreement."
Ruto reminisced about his past in ODM under the late Raila Odinga, crediting him for his political rise: "I was a member of ODM, but God made me even more successful so that I can meet with ODM again. Raila is the one who taught us politics. I was his best student, and he immensely contributed to my presidency."
This follows Ruto's recent shift toward ODM after Odinga's death, including praise at the party's Founders' dinner in Mombasa on November 16.