President William Ruto is set to bring together senior leaders from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) for a three-day political retreat in Naivasha, beginning Sunday, August 9, 2026. The meeting comes as the two parties seek to deepen their cooperation under the broad-based government ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Ruto will lead the talks alongside ODM leader Oburu Odinga, with governors, deputy governors and Members of Parliament affiliated with the two political parties expected to attend. The gathering is expected to provide a platform for leaders to review the progress of their working relationship and chart the political direction of the partnership.

The retreat comes at a critical stage in negotiations between the two political formations, with both sides weighing how their cooperation could translate into a joint political strategy for the 2027 polls. Among the issues under discussion is the future structure of the broad-based arrangement and the positions that could be negotiated as the alliance takes shape.

Leaders are also expected to deliberate on the implementation of the UDA-ODM cooperation framework, political mobilisation and preparations for the next General Election. The meeting is likely to offer both camps an opportunity to address outstanding differences and build greater cohesion among their respective grassroots and elected leaders.

The Naivasha talks, running until Tuesday, August 11, are therefore expected to provide an important indication of the direction of the Ruto-ODM partnership. With the 2027 election increasingly shaping political calculations, decisions reached during the retreat could have a significant bearing on the alliances and power-sharing negotiations that emerge in the months ahead.