Kisumu Central political aspirant Benard Aete has urged the ODM party to take a conciliatory approach in its talks with President William UDA party ahead of 2027 general election.
Aete said ODM should enter the negotiations with an open mind and avoid demands that could make it harder for the two parties to reach a pre-election agreement.
Speaking at a fundraising event at Gagra Secondary School in Rarieda, attended by Interior and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, Aete said the talks should be conducted in a spirit of cooperation.
“Let us relax, let us make it easy to work. When we go there, let us go there with open minds,” he said.
ODM and UDA are discussing closer political cooperation ahead of the 2027 election. The talks are expected to cover issues including power-sharing, policy priorities and possible electoral cooperation.
Aete, who described himself as an ODM member, said he had not voted for President Ruto in the 2022 election but argued that his government had paid attention to the Nyanza region.
“Even though we did not vote for Ruto, he has chosen to think about us. He has adopted us as orphans of the late Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga,” he said.
He called for what he described as “100 per cent support” for President Ruto among the Luo community, citing government projects in infrastructure, education and health.
His comments come as the two parties face differences over the terms of any possible coalition.
ODM has said it wants a fair share of power in any agreement and has rejected the idea of entering a coalition as a junior partner.
Questions over electoral zoning and the allocation of political positions have also featured in discussions.
Aete urged ODM leaders to avoid what he called excessive “push and pull” in the negotiations.
“Let these negotiations be done in an atmosphere of friendship,” he said.
He also called on residents to register as voters ahead of the 2027 election and urged those without identification documents to obtain or renew them.
Aete concluded by calling for peaceful elections and national unity, while reiterating his support for President Ruto’s re-election bid.
“Let Kenya be peaceful. Let Kenya be united. And let us forge ahead,” he said.
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