Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu warns of looming political betrayals as the Orange party draws a hard line in the sand, insisting on a 50-50 split with President Ruto’s UDA.

The drums of the 2027 General Election are beating early, and the rhythm is one of discord and demand. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), emboldened by its recent cooperation with the government, has issued a stark ultimatum to President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA): give us 50 percent of the government, or there is no deal. This bold declaration has sent shockwaves through the political establishment, signaling that the era of "handshakes" without concrete power sharing is over.

The 50-50 Ultimatum

Speaking at a charged rally in Dandora, ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga did not mince words. She asserted that the party would not accept any coalition agreement that treats them as a junior partner. The demand for parity is a direct challenge to the UDA hierarchy, many of whom are already wary of the creeping influence of the opposition within the government. "We are not passengers in this vehicle," the sentiment seems to be. "We are co-drivers."

Weighing in on the unfolding drama, Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu has played the role of the prophet of doom. In a televised interview, the seasoned legislator warned that the political landscape is ripe for "major realignments and betrayals." Mulu’s analysis cuts to the heart of Kenyan politics: alliances are transient, and promises are written in water. He cautioned that the demand for a 50 percent stake might be the breaking point that scatters the current fragile truce.

• The Wanga Declaration: Gladys Wanga’s insistence on a written, binding 50-50 agreement indicates that ODM has learned from past political marriages where they felt shortchanged.
• The Betrayal Narrative: Makali Mulu’s warning reflects a deep-seated anxiety in the political class that the closer the election gets, the more likely current allies will turn into bitter foes.
• The Ruto Dilemma: President Ruto now faces a delicate balancing act—appeasing his new friends in ODM without alienating his core base in Mt Kenya and the Rift Valley.

A Year of Political Turbulence

As 2026 unfolds, the friction between UDA and ODM is expected to escalate. The demand for half the loaf is not just about cabinet positions; it is about control over the deep state, resources, and the succession plan. For ODM, this is a gamble for relevance in a post-Raila Odinga era. For UDA, it is a test of their ability to manage a coalition of rivals.

The electorate watches with bated breath. If history is any guide, the road to 2027 will be littered with broken MOUs and bruised egos. Makali Mulu may just be right: the season of betrayal is upon us.