In a video shared online, Raila was seen welcoming President William Ruto to the venue, with Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi standing nearby.
Raila, who served as Kenya’s Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013, is the leader of the ODM party, which signed a cooperation agreement with Ruto’s government on March 7.
“How are you, Baba?” President Ruto is heard greeting the ODM leader upon arrival at the event tent on Friday morning.
“I know you’re a neighbour here.”
Raila replied: “Yeah, this is my home.”
He was accompanied by veteran journalist Salim Lone, who served as his communication advisor during his tenure as Prime Minister.
It is not clear if Raila will make a presentation during the meeting attended by Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and other senior ranks of government.
While Raila has consistently denied that his party is part of the government, he appears to wield significant influence in the Kenya Kwanza administration.
His frequent presence at high-level state functions, including presidential engagements, underscores his role in the current political setup despite holding no official position in the government.
Raila’s attendance at the executive retreat affirms his high-ranking place within the country’s power structure and signals a possible deepening of his political partnership with President Ruto ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The growing partnership between the two leaders led to the formation of a broad-based government, with five of Raila’s key allies appointed to the Cabinet.
The move was seen as a strategy to stabilise the country following last year’s wave of Gen Z-led protests.
Since then, President Ruto has repeatedly praised Raila for what he calls his “selflessness and patriotism” in choosing to work for national unity.
On Wednesday, while hosting Kisumu leaders led by Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o at State House, President Ruto reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive development.
He described his unity with Raila as a key pillar of the country’s transformative journey.
“Our broad-based government is neither the creation of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga nor mine; it is God-sent,” said the President.
“It has given us the political goodwill to make bold decisions and implement a truly national development agenda.”
