Winnie Odinga Reveals the Expiry Date of the Ruto-ODM Marriage
The political landscape in Kenya is bracing for a seismic shift as EALA MP Winnie Odinga reveals that the cooperation agreement between President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is just 38 days away from expiration. Speaking on Citizen TV on Tuesday, January 27, Winnie dropped a bombshell: the 10-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on March 7, 2025, officially lapses on March 7, 2026.
According to the former Prime Minister’s daughter, this timeline was no accident. The date was strategically embedded into the agreement to ensure a rigorous audit of the government’s performance before any talks of a 2027 election coalition could begin. Winnie emphasized that the deal—inked at the KICC—serves as a “social contract” with the people of Kenya, focusing on critical pillars like social justice, anti-corruption measures, and economic reforms.
The EALA MP was firm in her stance that President Ruto’s current push for a fresh UDA-ODM deal is “premature.” She insisted that the Executive must first show proof of work regarding the existing 10-point agenda. “If the agreement is trashed or ignored, then there is no basis for negotiating on behalf of Kenyans or ODM supporters,” she stated, making it clear that the party’s loyalty is not a blank check.
Winnie also shut down rumors that the deal died with her father, the late Raila Odinga. She asserted that the agreement transcends personalities and remains the binding framework for ODM’s engagement with the state. This puts immense pressure on the President’s team, who recently met at State House to review progress. A preliminary report is expected on February 6, which will act as the “make-or-break” document for the partnership.
As the countdown to March 7 begins, the stakes for the “Broad-Based Government” have never been higher. With ODM demanding equitable power-sharing, senior government appointments, and even eyeing the Deputy President slot for 2027, the next five weeks will determine whether this political marriage ends in a messy divorce or a renewed vows ceremony.
