By Dorothy Musyoka
In a move aimed at fostering national unity and reconciliation, President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together in government.
The signing ceremony took place on Friday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), bringing together officials from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Addressing the nation after appending their signatures, both leaders emphasized that the agreement is not about power-sharing but rather about ensuring the country’s stability and prosperity.
“This MoU is not about sharing positions or winning elections. It is about the people and the interests of Kenya,” stated President Ruto.
“Today we have signed an MoU between ODM and UDA. The common goal of this MoU is to ease the prevailing tensions in the country, reconcile the population, alleviate their suffering, move the country forward, and address the issues our people are grappling with,” Raila Odinga stated.
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.
“This unity is not about the two of you (Ruto, Raila). Baba has seen it all, and in fact, he has enough for his generations. The President has held all positions,” she stated.
Cecily Mbarire UDA Chairperson and Embu County Governor echoed the remarks noting that the country is bigger than regionalism.
Mbarire went ahead to commend President Ruto and Raila for putting aside their differences and hard-line stances for the betterment of the nation.
“To the politicians out there who are still stuck in regionalism, we are telling them that nationalism is bigger than regionalism,” she remarked.
The pact between UDA and ODM signals a shift in Kenya’s political landscape, marking a departure from the adversarial politics that have characterized past elections.
The collaboration is expected to facilitate bipartisan efforts in addressing economic hardships, governance reforms, and national reconciliation.