Ruto, Raila formally sign working pact, pledge to uphold rule of law and constitutionalism
In a joint statement read by ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar, Raila and Ruto pledged to promote leadership and integrity.
President William Ruto has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, bringing the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party into a working partnership with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The agreement, announced on Friday, was unveiled at an event attended by leaders from ODM and Kenya Kwanza-affiliated parties.
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The deal outlines several commitments between the two leaders, including the full implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, tackling youth unemployment and enforcing the two-thirds gender rule.
Another key aspect of the agreement is the push for inclusivity across the country, regardless of religion. The leaders believe this will expand opportunities for all Kenyans in public service appointments.
In a joint statement read by ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar, Raila and Ruto pledged to promote leadership and integrity.
They agreed to curb excessive spending by leaders and establish a legal framework to handle conflicts of interest within government institutions.
The two leaders also committed to upholding the rule of law and constitutionalism.
The agreement called on the government to respect the right to peaceful assembly and ensure compensation for victims of human rights violations.
Another critical component of the deal is an immediate audit of Kenya’s national debt to determine how borrowed funds have been utilised.
The two leaders also vowed to combat corruption and eliminate wasteful expenditure within the government.
Speaking after the signing, ODM national chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga lauded the new partnership, terming it a sign of putting national interest above self.
“The unity and stability and prosperity of this country is not the responsibility of a few; it is the responsibility of all of us, as a nation. And while we may have different political persuasions and come from different parts of the country and different schools of thought, nobody can fault unity. Nobody can fault equity,” she stated.
“This unity that you have put together today is not about the two of you, because Baba has seen it all; in fact, he has enough for all generations. The president has sat in all positions. So, in my thinking, this unity is for the young people, women, and the marginalised... it is for all Kenyans who have felt like they have never been part of Kenya.”
Her UDA counterpart and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire echoed the remarks, further lauding the transparency of the process and the contents of the MoU.
Mbarire commended Ruto and Odinga for putting aside their differences and hardline stances for the betterment of the nation.
“Today, we’re reminded yet again that the nation will always remain bigger than individual and party interests. I am happy that today, after rumours in the media, we’re not signing an agreement behind closed doors in some private space,” she said.
“I’m also pleased that it has taken serious consultations through the party structures to get to where we are. I’m also pleased that we have not signed a document that remains a secret to the people who we represent and who matter most. Today, Kenyans know what we have signed up to.”
The agreement follows Odinga’s recent two-week consultative tour across the country, during which he sought public input on his next political move.
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