Ruto: My pact with Raila is not about my re-election bid

President William Ruto on Friday disclosed that his Memorandum of Understanding with Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Raila Odinga has nothing to do with his 2027 re-election bid.

The two signed an agreement to work under the broad-based government arrangement in which they outlined their areas of cooperation.

Ruto said that his support for Odinga’s failed African Union Commission chairmanship bid was not intended to entice the veteran politician to drop his own political aspirations or support his re-election bid.

“My support for him was not conditioned on him dropping his aspirations for whatever position. My support for him was because he deserved it as a Kenyan,” said Ruto.

According to Ruto, there were those who advised him that his support for Raila could energise the Orange Party leader to later turn against him and pose a challenge in the 2027 presidential contest.

“But there are those who told me that by supporting him, I would empower him so that he could come and compete with me. We have been working under a broad-based arrangement, inspired not by our own needs but by the necessity of closing ranks to deal with issues affecting Kenyans,” said Ruto.

Ruto assured Kenyans that signing the agreement was the right decision for both him and Odinga. “It might not be the most popular decision. Our country is going through major shifts across social and economic spheres.”

He added that not many leaders have the courage to make the decisions Raila has made. “I know the kind of difficulty he faced in getting us to this position. History is going to judge you fairly for what you have done for this country.”

Odinga, for his part, said the main aim of the agreement was not their interests but a fresh approach to tackling the challenges bedevilling the country.

“The cardinal goal of the MoU is to help ease the prevailing tension. All Kenyans must feel that they belong here by right and have the right to access, without any form of discrimination, whatever Kenya has to offer,” said Odinga.

He added that the agreement between him and Ruto is ‘truly national and inclusive’, pledging an end to political grandstanding to spur growth.

Odinga stated that the agreement is meant to bring together voices from both political parties to address the critical challenges facing the country.

He also indicated that the successful implementation of the MoU will form the basis of a robust framework for delivering to the people of Kenya. He explained that the deal was a product of ‘random sampling’ of members during consultation forums in Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nairobi.

The collaboration between UDA and ODM marks a significant shift in Kenya’s political landscape, bringing together leaders from diverse political backgrounds to work towards common goals.

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This alliance is expected to streamline legislative processes and enhance the effectiveness of government initiatives.

As part of ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity, President Ruto has also engaged opposition leaders in dialogue, seeking to address key national issues collaboratively.

This unprecedented cooperation between President Ruto and Odinga has elicited mixed reactions across the political spectrum.

While some view it as a positive step towards political stability and inclusive governance, others express concerns about its implications for the traditional role of opposition parties in holding the government accountable.

Earlier, ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga hailed the unity deal between President Ruto and Odinga as a historic pact for the youth, women, and marginalised communities.

She emphasised that national unity is a shared responsibility. “The unity and stability of this country, and its prosperity, is not the responsibility of a few. It is the responsibility of all of us as a nation,” she said.