President Ruto Seeks ODM Coalition and Nominates Ida Odinga as UNEP Ambassador - January 2026

President William Ruto is pursuing a broader political coalition with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to secure a commanding victory in the 2027 polls. The move, announced at a UDA National Governing Council meeting, aims for a victory margin of "two million plus votes." In a related move to build alliances, President Ruto nominated Mama Ida Odinga as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This nomination is intended to bolster Kenya’s environmental diplomacy. Ida Odinga has accepted the UNEP envoy role, calling it a great honour following the death of her husband, Raila Odinga.