President William Ruto on Thursday ceded to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party’s zoning demands and reprimanded United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Hassan Omar during a tense meeting with officials from both parties at State House, Nairobi.
The meeting, attended by senior UDA and ODM leaders, sought to ease growing tension between the two parties over zoning arrangements in key counties and their 2027 collaboration.
Hassan Omar has been at loggerheads with ODM leaders over the issue and has publicly opposed the re-election of ODM deputy leader and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir.
During the closed-door session, President Ruto called for restraint and discipline within UDA ranks plus the need for cooperation and mutual respect between ODM and UDA.
The President cautioned Omar against making divisive public statements that could undermine their partnership with Dr Oburu’s ODM.
In a major outcome of the meeting, President Ruto and ODM leader Oburu Odinga announced the formation of a Broad-Based Management Committee which will include selected Cabinet ministers, party leadership, and the Majority and Minority leaders in Parliament.
According to a statement released by State House, the committee will be responsible for coordinating and synchronizing the legislative and executive agenda of the broadbased government to ensure coherence, efficiency, and effective service delivery.
“The two party leaders have agreed to establish a Broad-Based Management Committee comprising the party leaders, selected Cabinet Ministers, and the Majority and Minority Leaders in Parliament,” read part of the statement.
The meeting also resolved that respective party chairpersons (ODM and UDA) will continue structured and regular consultations across party organs to maintain harmony and alignment on key policy issues.
