NAIROBI, KENYA – In a move that could mark a watershed moment in Kenyan politics, President William Ruto has accepted an invitation to attend the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party's National Delegates Conference (NDC), according to a statement by the party's interim leader, Senator Oburu Odinga. The announcement, made on Sunday, November 2, 2025, suggests a deepening of ties between the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration and the former opposition powerhouse, a relationship that has divided opinions within ODM itself.

Speaking over the weekend, Senator Odinga confirmed the President's acceptance, framing it as part of a broader, inclusive approach by the party. “As a founding member, he was invited. Even President William Ruto, who was invited, had accepted to come,” Oburu stated. The conference is scheduled to take place in Mombasa from Friday, November 14 to Sunday, November 16, 2025. This event is tasked with consolidating the party's structure and defining its strategic direction following the death of its long-time leader, Raila Odinga.

As of Monday, November 3, 2025, State House had not issued a formal statement to independently confirm President Ruto's attendance. The President's potential presence at the NDC of a party he helped found but later fiercely competed against would be an unprecedented gesture in Kenya's highly partisan political history.

A Test for the 'Broad-Based Government'

President Ruto’s planned attendance is the most visible indicator yet of the ongoing political cooperation, termed a “broad-based government,” that was established between ODM and UDA in March 2025. This partnership has been championed by figures like Oburu Odinga as a necessary step for national stability and development. However, it has also created significant internal rifts within ODM.

Party Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has been a vocal critic, asserting that ODM remains an independent entity and that its officials serving in government are working for President Ruto, not as part of a formal coalition. This internal discord was highlighted in September 2024, when several ODM MPs from Nairobi reportedly boycotted a meeting with President Ruto at State House, exposing deep-seated tensions over the party's direction. The President's appearance in Mombasa could either cement the cooperation or exacerbate these existing divisions.

ODM at a Crossroads

The upcoming NDC is a pivotal moment for ODM. The party had initially scheduled the conference for October 2025 but postponed it to early 2026 to separate internal elections from its 20th-anniversary celebrations. The rescheduling to mid-November, as announced by Oburu, indicates a renewed urgency to settle its leadership and strategic questions. The conference is expected to formally elect new national officials and chart a path toward the 2027 General Election.

The political landscape has been fluid since Raila Odinga's passing, with his elder brother, Oburu, being endorsed by the party's Central Committee to steer it through the transition. Senator Odinga has made ambitious declarations about the party's future, stating that in any potential pre-election pact with President Ruto's camp, the minimum position ODM would accept is that of Deputy President. He has also publicly welcomed President Ruto to rejoin ODM, on the condition that he would have to compete for the party's presidential ticket like any other candidate.

Implications for 2027 and Beyond

Political analysts view this development as a calculated move by both leaders. For President Ruto, attending the NDC of a major political rival could help soften his image in regions that have historically voted against him and project a message of national unity. It aligns with his administration's consistent engagement with ODM-affiliated leaders since taking office, including a February 2023 meeting with MPs from the Nyanza region at State House.

For ODM, hosting the President presents both an opportunity and a risk. It solidifies the party leadership's seat at the national table but threatens to alienate a support base built on a platform of opposition and government accountability. The reaction of the party's delegates and the broader public to President Ruto's presence will be a crucial barometer of the country's evolving political dynamics.

While Senator Odinga's announcement has set the stage for a historic political event, all eyes will be on State House for an official confirmation and on the ODM delegates in Mombasa to gauge the true direction of one of Kenya's most influential political movements.