5 major statements Raila made at MoU signing with Ruto

In a landmark political development, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and President William Ruto signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between their respective parties, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on Friday, March 7, 2025.

The agreement, Raila said, seeks to ease political tensions, foster national unity, and address critical social and economic issues affecting Kenyans.

While speculation swirled around the broader implications of the deal, Raila was clear: this is not yet a political coalition.

Here are five key takeaways from Raila’s speech during the MoU signing:

1. Easing political tensions and reconciliation

Raila framed the agreement as a necessary step toward national healing.

He acknowledged Kenya’s deep political divisions and stressed that ODM and UDA have a duty to lead by example in fostering unity.

“It is not enough to merely grandstand or stand aside and criticize, easy as those may be. They say any madman can kick down a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one,” Raila said.

2. Tackling youth unemployment and economic challenges

A major focus of the MoU, Raila noted, is addressing Kenya’s growing youth unemployment crisis, which he said has left many young people feeling hopeless and easily exploited in political conflicts.

“We agree to embark on steps to realign the country’s economic, social, and political priorities to address the youth agenda,” he stated.

Raila emphasized that successive governments have failed to properly address this issue since Kenya’s independence 62 years ago.

3. Strengthening devolution with increased county funding

Raila reiterated his longstanding commitment to devolution, arguing that strengthening counties is crucial for inclusive development.

He announced that ODM and UDA would push for a minimum allocation of Ksh450 billion to counties in the 2025/26 budget.

“We commit to protect and strengthen devolution as a machinery for ensuring a more inclusive development across the country,” he said, urging the national government to ensure timely disbursement of funds.

4. Upholding the constitution and rule of law

Raila pledged that the MoU would focus on safeguarding constitutional freedoms, including the right to free speech, peaceful protests, and protection from corruption and inefficiency in government.

“We will use this platform to revisit the constitutional provisions on leadership and integrity, corruption in public life, and fundamental freedoms,” he said.

5. Not a political coalition – yet

While the MoU has sparked speculation about a possible alliance between Raila and Ruto ahead of the 2027 elections, Raila was keen to clarify its immediate purpose.

“The memorandum we have signed today does not define the formation of a political coalition between ODM and UDA. However, its successful implementation could inform the basis of steps towards the establishment of a broadly constituted and progressive formation for a stable country in the future,” Raila asserted.

A political shift in the making?

The agreement between Raila and Ruto signals a potential realignment in the country’s political landscape.

Whether this will evolve into a full-fledged political partnership remains to be seen.

For now, the MoU serves as a commitment to stability, dialogue, and addressing key national concerns.

As Kenyans process this new development, one question lingers: Is this the beginning of a new political era or merely a strategic truce between two of the country’s most formidable political figures Ruto and Raila?

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