The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is actively engaging in pre-coalition talks with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to shape President William Ruto's 2027 manifesto and discuss potential electoral zoning.

• ODM is pushing for the inclusion of key policy areas such as inclusivity in public affairs, strengthening devolution, equitable wealth sharing, social security for the poor, anti-corruption measures, and access to quality education and healthcare.
• A 10-member technical team has been formed, with representatives from both ODM and UDA, to draft the joint manifesto.
• Zoning, where coalition partners agree not to field candidates against each other in specific regions, is a significant point of contention, with ODM listing it as an irreducible minimum while UDA publicly opposes it.

The National Assembly faces scrutiny over significant delays in passing a crucial bill that would grant the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) full control over election technology and server access ahead of the 2027 General Election.

• The Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2024, already passed by the Senate, has been stalled in the National Assembly's Justice and Legal Affairs Committee for over a year.
• The bill aims to ensure the IEBC owns the intellectual property rights to election technology and has access to election servers, preventing issues seen in past elections where providers restricted access.
• Past disputes, including the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections, involved technology providers like Smartmatic International Holding BV and OT-Morpho denying the IEBC access to servers.

President William Ruto shares his final interactions with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga before his passing, recalling their evolving relationship from rivals to partners.

• The final moments were recounted on October 15 last year, following Mr. Odinga's death in India.
• Key figures involved include President William Ruto and the late Raila Odinga, with communication also involving Dr. Oburu Oginga.
• Their relationship spanned decades, moving between political rivalry and periods of partnership, including a close phase in the weeks preceding Mr. Odinga's death.