President Ruto and Mr Odinga Agree on a Joint Framework for Cooperation

Presidential Press Unit

President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have agreed to work together to confront the socio-economic and political challenges facing the country. The two leaders pointed out that Kenya holds great potential, but its progress has been held back by the shackles of ethnicity and state policies that exclude parts of the county from national development. In a joint Kenya Kwanza-ODM Framework agreement signed at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre on Friday, the two leaders said:

“For Kenya to realise its full potential, we must discard old superficial rivalries and embrace a unifying vision.”

They added: “We acknowledge that divergent and even conflicting ideas are the revving engine of a vibrant democracy; they sharpen a better vision for our country.”

They said that the agreement was not tantamount to the formation of a political union between their respective parties. Present were Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, and Governors Cecily Mbarire (Embu) and Gladys Wanga (Homabay). The two women Governors also serve as chaipersons of UDA and ODM respectively.

The M.O.U contains 10-point commitments and resolutions to pursue and achieve to ensure a more cohesive and prosperous nation. They include implementing the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, promoting inclusivity in governance and national development, protecting and strengthening devolution, and addressing Kenya’s debt crisis. Further, it endavours to secure the future of Kenya’s future, promote integrity in national leadership, eliminate wastage of public resources, win the war against corruption, safeguard the right to peaceful assembly, and uphold the rule of law and constitutionalism.

“We understand that this moment is unlike any other,” said President Ruto in his remarks.

“It is not enough to merely identify systemic and cultural obstacles that have denied generations a fair chance to achieve their aspirations. More importantly, we must rise above the political differences and embrace a higher vision of the Kenya we all deserve.”

Mr Odinga said the M.O.U is meant to ease the prevailing tensions in the country, reconcile the population, and move the country forward by addressing critical issues facing wananchi.

“As leaders of the largest political parties in the country, we arrived at the understanding that in a time of significant challenges to our nation, it is not enough to merely grandstand or stand aside and criticize, easy as those may be,” he said.

While clarifying that the M.O.U does not signal the formation of a political coalition between ODM and UDA, he said the agreement’s successful implementation could inform “the esblishment of a broadly constitute and progressive formation for a stable country in the future.” DP Kindiki congratulated Mr Odinga for the bold decision to work with the government of the day to resolve issues affecting Kenyans.

“I am proud to see what is happening today,” he said. “Courageous decisions are made by courageous people.”

Mr Odinga thanked President Ruto for firmly supporting his candidature for the Chairmanship of the African Union Commission, adding that the President’s support was genuine.

“I did not expect to be supported by the Kenyan government, but out of the blue, President Ruto announced that he would support my candidature,” he said.

President Ruto said that Mr Odinga was a great candidate notwithstanding the outcome of the race. He said his support for Mr Odinga was not tied to local politics or the former PM’s future political ambitions.

He hailed Mr Odinga for the many personal sacrifices he has made in his lengthy political career to hold the country together at moments of crisis and take it forward.

“Very few people can put the interests of the nation and the people ahead of their own personal interests. My brother Raila, history is going to judge you fairly for what you have done for this country.”

Others present were Cabinet Secretaries, MPs, and MCAS.

Images from X/UDAKenya and X/TheODMParty