Inside Ruto-Raila Power Deal

President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have officially signed a working agreement following weeks of consultations countrywide on the political deal.

The event, held at KICC in Nairobi on Friday, marked a historic signing when both leaders put pen to paper to seal the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will chart the country’s way forward.

Before signing the document, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) counterpart Hassan Omar read out the issues that will be tackled in the agreement.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki was also present at the event.

ODM Party Chairman Gladys Wanga welcomed the partnership, saying it will enhance equity in the country.

Wanga said the unity transcends Ruto and Raila, given that the two leaders have seen it all in Kenya’s political system.

“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 on all positions. So, in my thinking, this unity is for the young people, women, the marginalized…it is for all Kenyans who have felt like they have never been part of Kenya.”

Wanga’s UDA counterpart Cecily Mbarire said in her remarks that the pact has demonstrated that the nation will always be bigger than individuals.

He said the deal is a culmination of several days of consultations between both sides.

“Today, we’re reminded yet again that the nation will always remain bigger than individual and party interests. I am happy that today, after rumors in the media, we’re not signing an agreement behind closed doors in some private space,” she said.

“I’m also happy that it has taken serious consultations through the party structures to get to where we are. I’m also happy that we have not signed a document which remains a secret to the people we represent and who matter most. Today, Kenyans know what we have signed up for.”

The working arrangement will see both UDA and ODM party share political infrastructure on matters of national interest.