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President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga signed a political cooperation agreement Friday, March 7, 2025. The agreement marked the beginning of a new political collaboration between their parties.
The Kenya Kwanza-ODM Framework Agreement was signed at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi. The event brought together Members of Parliament allied to both leaders, with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki also present.
ODM Party Chairperson Gladys Wanga welcomed the partnership, saying it will promote equity across the country.
“The unity, stability, and prosperity of this country is not the responsibility of a few; it is the responsibility of all of us as a nation. While we may have different political persuasions and come from different backgrounds, nobody can fault unity. Nobody can fault equity,” Wanga said.
She added that the partnership extends beyond Ruto and Raila, as it will bring benefits for marginalized groups, women, and young people.
UDA Chairperson Cecily Mbarire stated that the pact promotes the idea that national interests should always take precedence over personal or party agendas.
“Today, we are reminded yet again that the nation will always remain bigger than individual and party interests. I am happy that after speculation, we are not signing an agreement behind closed doors. Today, Kenyans know what we have signed up for,” Mbarire said.
The agreement paves the way for ODM and UDA to share political infrastructure and collaborate on governance matters. It also allows both parties to engage their experts in consultations on national interest issues.
The agreement commences with a commitment to the full implementation of the NADCO report, which contains key recommendations to enhance transparency and accountability in governance. The pact emphasizes inclusivity, which aims to ensure that all Kenyans have equal participation in public and political life.
Another focus of the agreement is on strengthening devolution, enhancing the powers and resources of county governments to ensure that local issues are addressed more effectively. This is complemented by a commitment to economic policies that specifically support the integration of young people into the economy through job creation and entrepreneurial support.
The agenda also addresses the need for high standards of leadership and integrity, aiming to restore trust and credibility in Kenya’s political and administrative systems. It safeguards the right to peaceful assembly and promises just compensation for victims of past human rights violations, acknowledging the importance of civil liberties.
An urgent audit of the national debt is called for, aiming to bring transparency to public financial management and assess how much has been borrowed and how these funds have been utilized. This aligns with the broader fight against corruption, where the agreement proposes strengthened legal and institutional frameworks to eradicate corruption across all sectors of government.
Furthermore, the agreement seeks to stop the wastage of public resources, ensuring that government spending is efficient and aimed at the effective delivery of services to the public. Finally, it firmly commits to protecting the sovereignty of the people, focusing on rights such as preventing illegal abductions, ensuring the press is free from undue influence, and preventing the suppression of public will.
Thousands of ODM supporters gathered at KICC ahead of the signing, following a series of consultations Raila held in different regions where he enjoys strong support. However, notable absences at the event were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, sparking speculation about their stance on the pact.
Despite this, government sources indicated that Mudavadi had attended a Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary Group meeting at State House in the morning before proceeding to Bomet and Kakamega counties for various government functions. Meanwhile, Wetangula was in Kimilili, Trans Nzoia County, where he commissioned a new classroom block before attending a requiem mass for former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati.
The new pact has elicited mixed reactions across the country. Not everyone welcomed the agreement. The political realignment sparked immediate reactions, including public dissent at a recent event in Kisii. On Sunday, March 9, 2025, Raila was heckled at Gusii Stadium, where he had attended an event to unveil Shabana FC’s new kit. A section of the crowd chanted slogans critical of the recent political pact, with some leaving the stadium as Raila took the stage.
Despite the interruptions, Raila reiterated that his collaboration with Ruto is aimed at fostering national unity.
“This unity is not about the two of us. It is for the young people, women, the marginalized… it is for all Kenyans who have felt like they have never been part of Kenya,” he said.
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