ODM, UDA Form Broad-Based Management Committee to Ease Tension

ODM, UDA Form Broad-Based Management Committee to Ease Tension

Kenya’s two major political formations, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), have agreed to establish a Broad-Based Management Committee in a move aimed at easing rising political tensions and strengthening coordination within the broad-based government arrangement.

The decision was reached following a high-level closed-door meeting held on Thursday, bringing together top leadership from both parties amid growing concerns over internal disagreements, particularly on zoning and power-sharing.

In a joint statement released after the meeting, the parties outlined the structure and mandate of the new committee, which is expected to play a central role in harmonising both legislative and executive functions.

“The two party leaders agreed to establish a Broad-Based Management Committee comprising the party leaders, selected Cabinet Ministers, and the Majority and Minority Leaders in Parliament,” the statement read in part.

According to the agreement, the committee will act as a coordination platform to streamline government operations and ensure policy alignment between the two political entities.

“The committee will be tasked with coordinating and synchronizing the legislative and executive agenda of the government to ensure coherence, efficiency, and effective service delivery,” the statement added.

The consultative meeting was co-chaired by President William Ruto and Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, signalling the high stakes attached to the discussions as both leaders seek to maintain stability within the evolving political arrangement.

While the formation of the committee has been confirmed, details on its operational framework, including how decisions will be implemented and enforced, remain unclear.

In addition to the committee, the parties resolved to assign a more active role to their respective chairpersons, who will spearhead ongoing consultations aimed at fostering unity and addressing emerging disputes.

“These ongoing engagements are intended to build consensus on priority issues and lay the foundation for a formal coalition of equals between UDA and ODM,” the statement noted.

The move comes against the backdrop of mounting friction within the broad-based government, with sections of ODM raising concerns over what they describe as encroachment by UDA into regions traditionally considered ODM strongholds.

At the centre of the dispute is the issue of zoning, a political strategy often used to manage electoral competition among coalition partners. Some ODM leaders have accused UDA of fielding candidates in areas where informal understandings were believed to exist, threatening to undermine trust within the partnership.

Sources familiar with the discussions indicate that one of the key expectations from the meeting was the establishment of clearer guidelines on electoral cooperation, including the possibility of parties refraining from competing against each other in specific regions.

However, no formal agreement on zoning was publicly announced, leaving the matter open for further consultations.

The tensions have also extended to power-sharing demands, with a faction within ODM reportedly pushing for a greater share of positions in government. There have been suggestions from within the party that support for President Ruto’s potential re-election bid in 2027 could be contingent on securing a more substantial role in national leadership.

Analysts note that the creation of the Broad-Based Management Committee represents an attempt to institutionalise dialogue and prevent internal disagreements from escalating into a full-blown political fallout.

At the same time, they caution that the success of the initiative will depend on the willingness of both parties to honour informal agreements and maintain open channels of communication.

As Kenya’s political landscape continues to evolve ahead of the next general election, the ODM-UDA partnership remains a critical factor in shaping governance and electoral dynamics.

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ODM, UDA Form Broad-Based Management Committee to Ease Tension