Raila: I did not go to Ruto, he came to me in bid to stabilise Kenya

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has responded to mounting criticism over his recent decision to cooperate with President William Ruto, clarifying that it was the President who sought him out to help stabilise the country.

Addressing mourners at a funeral service in Kiambu County on Tuesday, Raila dismissed accusations that his collaboration with Ruto was a betrayal, explaining that he could not stand by and watch Kenyans suffer, especially after his defeat in the race for the African Union Commission (AUC) seat.

"I did not go to Ruto—Ruto came to me," Raila emphasised, pointing out that his primary concern is the well-being of the Kenyan people.

"Some people are making noise, claiming that I have abandoned them and joined Ruto. But since I was born, I have fought for Kenyans’ rights, and my stand has not changed," he added.

Raila's cooperation with Ruto has drawn significant backlash from some Kenyans who accuse him of abandoning his supporters in favour of political convenience. However, Raila argued that his decision was motivated by the need to address urgent national issues, including the Social Health Authority (SHA) and overtaxation, particularly through the housing levy.

He further explained that his engagement with the government is rooted in the belief that dialogue is necessary to resolve the country's challenges.

"Last year, we raised issues that needed to be addressed, but they can’t be solved unless leaders come together and talk," Raila noted.

"That is why, when Ruto showed some concern, he came to me, and I said, 'Let’s sit down and resolve the 10 issues we agreed on.' We have now given them time to implement these resolutions."

The former Prime Minister assured the public that President Ruto is committed to addressing these concerns. He also rejected the notion that the cooperation was politically motivated in preparation for the 2027 elections, emphasising that the final decision on leadership would be made by the people of Kenya at the appropriate time.

"Before then, we don’t want our people to continue suffering. We must first resolve the issue of SHA, which is not working, and the burden of heavy taxes like the housing levy," he said.

In defending his choice to engage with Ruto's government, Raila stressed the importance of working together to solve the nation's problems. "You can’t solve problems by sitting back. You need to place the right people in key positions to ensure solutions are found. We can’t stand aside while the country struggles—we must work together to fix these issues."

Raila concluded by reiterating that the people of Kenya will have the final say in 2027. "In 2027, Kenyans will decide who will lead them," he said.

Last week on Friday, Ruto and Raila signed a landmark political pact centered on a 10-point agenda aimed at fostering national unity and addressing long-standing governance challenges.

The agreement, which came after years of political rivalry, seeks to implement the recommendations of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, including the creation of the Office of the Official Opposition Leader and the reinstatement of the Prime Minister’s position.

The pact, described as a blend of constitutional amendments and the enforcement of existing provisions, marks a significant shift in Kenya’s political landscape.

Other Topics To Read

• Politics
• Headlines
• President William Ruto
• Raila Odinga
• NADCO
• Raila: I did not go to Ruto
• he came to me in bid to stabilise Kenya

President Ruto and Raila, who have oscillated between alliance and animosity over the years, committed to putting their differences aside to address pressing national issues.

At the core of the agreement is the implementation of the NADCO report, which had previously been shelved despite its far-reaching recommendations. The report advocates for inclusivity, good governance, and the protection of devolution, among other reforms.

The pact emphasises the need to promote inclusivity, a principle enshrined in Article 27 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality and freedom from discrimination. Despite its inclusion in the 2010 Constitution, inclusivity has been inconsistently applied, leaving marginalised groups underserved.