The courtship is over; the wedding planning has begun. UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar has confirmed that the ruling party is drafting a formal coalition agreement with ODM, aimed at fielding a joint presidential candidate in 2027.

"We are natural partners," Omar said. "We both believe in bottom-up economics and national unity." The move is designed to lock in the Nyanza vote block and isolate regional kingpins who might threaten Ruto’s second term. The "handshake" is no longer a secret; it is becoming the law of the land.