The Cabinet Secretaries, their Principal Secretaries, and other senior government officials are attending the high-level conference at the KCB Leadership Centre in Karen, Nairobi.
According to Dennis Itumbi, the head of special projects at the Presidency, Raila will speak on issues relating to the role of the legislature in facilitating smooth government operations and strengthening service delivery.
“Raila Odinga on location to address CSs, PS, and other senior ranks holders. Strengthening delivery, the legislature's role in enabling the agenda, deepening intergovernmental collaboration, and enhancing accountability through the Office of the Auditor General,” Itumbi wrote on his X account.
The retreat, chaired by President William Ruto, is focused on seven key priorities: the economy, agriculture, health, education, government digitisation, MSMEs, and job creation.
Earlier, Raila was seen welcoming President Ruto to the venue, with Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi standing nearby.
This marks the first time Raila is addressing the Executive in such a high-level forum since entering a cooperation agreement with President Ruto.
Raila, who served as Kenya’s Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013, is the leader of the ODM party, which signed a cooperation deal with Ruto’s government on March 7.
“How are you, Baba?” President Ruto is heard greeting the ODM leader upon arrival at the 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 communications advisor during his tenure as Prime Minister.
While Raila has consistently maintained that his party is not part of the government, he appears to wield significant influence within 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.
