In a dramatic turn of events, Kenya’s political landscape witnessed a seismic shift on Friday afternoon when President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). The agreement between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) marks a new chapter in Kenya’s political realignments.
The MoU, read to the public by the two parties’ Secretary-Generals, outlined key areas of cooperation, including the implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, tackling youth unemployment, and enforcing the two-thirds gender rule. While the deal was met with mixed reactions, one thing was clear—it caught the opposition team off guard.
Gachagua, Kalonzo, and Karua Caught Off Guard
The opposition alliance, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, and former Cabinet Ministers Martha Karua and Eugene Wamalwa, was left stunned by the sudden announcement. The trio, who had been positioning themselves as the face of the opposition, had openly expressed hopes that Raila Odinga would join their camp in holding the government accountable.
Rigathi Gachagua had repeatedly stated that President Ruto was politically “finished” and desperate for Raila’s support. He even hinted that the Mt. Kenya community had no issue working with the former Prime Minister if it meant forming a strong opposition to liberate the country. Raila, on the other hand, had maintained that he was consulting widely before making a major announcement. However, instead of joining the opposition camp, the ODM leader stunned many by sealing a deal with the very government he had been criticizing.
A Divided ODM and the Future of Opposition
The move has sparked divisions within ODM, with some party members opposing the decision to collaborate with the government while others see it as a strategic move. ODM Secretary-General had previously declared that even if Raila chose to support Ruto, he would still lose in the next election—a sentiment that reflects the uncertainty surrounding the party’s future.
With Ruto and Raila now seemingly on the same side and Gachagua, Kalonzo, Karua, Wamalwa, and Fred Matiang’i on the opposing front, Kenya is entering a season of intense political realignments. The battle lines are being drawn, and only time will tell which side will emerge victorious in the long run.
One thing is for sure—Kenyan politics is as unpredictable as ever.
