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Arati Proposes Ruto Should Seek Re-election on ODM Platform in 2027

Orange Democratic Movement Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati has suggested that President William Ruto should consider running for a second term under the ODM banner, arguing that the party’s historical connection with the head of state makes this the natural path forward.

Speaking during a delegates’ conference in Iten on Sunday, December 14, 2025, the Kisii Governor articulated his vision for ODM forming the next government while extending what he described as an invitation for the current president to rejoin the opposition party.

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Historical Ties Invoked

Arati referenced the 2005 constitutional referendum as the foundation for his proposal, noting that both Raila Odinga and William Ruto famously campaigned together against the proposed constitution using the orange symbol that later became synonymous with ODM.

“We have unanimously decided that as ODM we will form government in 2027. We will ask President Ruto to join ODM since it was the big party which he helped form,” the Governor stated, reminding attendees of the shared political history between the president and the opposition movement.

The 2005 referendum saw Raila and Ruto unite under the orange banner to successfully defeat the constitutional proposal, a collaboration that temporarily aligned their political trajectories before subsequent divergence saw Ruto eventually join forces with Uhuru Kenyatta and later form his own United Democratic Alliance party.

Conditional Support for Second Term

While expressing no fundamental opposition to President Ruto serving another term, Arati made clear that ODM would pose critical questions as the 2027 elections approach.

“For now we are together with Ruto, but come 2027, we will ask some questions,” the Deputy Party Leader remarked, hinting at conditions the opposition would attach to any continued cooperation with the current administration.

His comments come amid the ongoing broad-based government arrangement that has seen several ODM members appointed to cabinet positions, creating an unusual political configuration where opposition figures serve in a government led by their former rival.

Grand Reception in Rift Valley

The Governor’s visit to Iten, deep in Rift Valley territory traditionally aligned with President Ruto, generated significant attention as his motorcade brought the town to a standstill. The elaborate procession signaled ODM’s intention to expand its footprint beyond its traditional strongholds.

During the delegates meeting, Arati emphasized that the party remained committed to the broad-based government spirit while urging members to maintain unity during this transitional period following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Recurring Theme

This is not the first instance of Arati publicly calling for Ruto’s return to ODM. Shortly after Raila Odinga’s passing, the Kisii Governor made similar overtures, suggesting that rejoining ODM would automatically position Ruto as the party’s presidential candidate in the next election cycle.

Those remarks came in response to President Ruto’s pledge to ensure ODM’s continuity and stability despite losing its founding leader and long-time face.

Arati has consistently positioned himself as a guardian of Raila’s political legacy, describing the former Prime Minister as instrumental in shaping Kenya’s democratic evolution and political landscape over decades of activism and leadership.

Strategic Positioning

Political observers interpret Arati’s repeated appeals as both genuine outreach and strategic positioning. By framing Ruto’s potential candidacy within ODM’s structure, the Deputy Party Leader appears to be asserting the opposition party’s continued relevance and strength even as it navigates leadership transition.

The proposal also tests the boundaries of the current broad-based arrangement, raising questions about whether cooperation will evolve into fuller political integration or remain a temporary tactical alliance that dissolves as elections approach.

President Ruto has not publicly responded to Arati’s latest invitation, maintaining focus on his administration’s policy agenda while keeping his 2027 political strategy closely guarded.

As both ODM and UDA begin positioning for the next electoral contest, Arati’s remarks underscore the fluid nature of Kenya’s current political alignments and the uncertainty surrounding how the broad-based experiment will ultimately reshape the country’s party landscape heading into the next general election.

The delegates meeting in Iten marks part of ODM’s broader effort to maintain organizational cohesion and expand its geographic reach as it charts its post-Raila trajectory under new leadership structures still taking shape.