Rosa Buyu called for party-to-party engagement between ODM and UDA during an event in Nyando.
Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu urges President William Ruto to recognise ODM’s national identity as leaders discuss cooperation ahead of 2027.
Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu has urged President William Ruto to approach ODM-UDA talks as a party partnership, not an ethnic deal. She said negotiations should recognise ODM’s independence and support across Kenya’s diverse communities.
Buyu spoke on Saturday at a Gor Mahia fans’ economic empowerment event in Nyando, Kisumu County. Her remarks come amid discussions about the parties’ future relationship ahead of the 2027 General Election.
She warned against presenting the proposed engagement as an arrangement between Ruto and the Luo community. Instead, she said ODM’s political identity stretches beyond its traditional support base in Nyanza.
Buyu urges national approach to ODM-UDA talks
Buyu called for cooperation that promotes national unity while recognising the diverse communities within both parties. She said UDA should engage ODM as a national political organisation rather than an ethnic bloc.
The MP also defended Ruto’s approach to inclusion, saying all Kenyans deserve equal opportunities regardless of ethnicity. She cited Kikuyu citizens and Somali citizens from North Eastern as equally entitled to the country’s opportunities.
Buyu declared her support for the President, arguing that his efforts to bring communities together deserved recognition. Her appeal paired that support with a call to respect ODM’s separate political identity during negotiations.
Cheruiyot backs structured negotiations and equal status
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot said UDA recognised ODM as an important partner with significant national support. He rejected suggestions that the party had lost relevance following former leader Raila Odinga’s death.
The Kericho senator also said ODM deserved respect and equal standing in formal negotiations with UDA. He expressed readiness to build a political arrangement that could deliver on Kenyans’ aspirations.
However, Cheruiyot criticised ODM politicians who question engagement with UDA while allegedly pursuing other alliances. He singled out Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, alleging they were seeking ties with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Cheruiyot also urged ODM supporters not to view the proposed cooperation as benefiting only particular communities. He linked the planned structured negotiations to Odinga’s aspirations for Kenyans.
Turning to infrastructure, the senator defended planned government investment in the Rironi-Mau Summit road project. He argued that taxpayers in Western Kenya and other regions deserved equal consideration in national development.
He also accused Gachagua of opposing projects benefiting certain regions. Lawyer Fred Odumo, who is seeking the Kisumu Senate seat in 2027, organised the event.
