Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has clarified that the political agreement he signed with President William Ruto on Friday is not a merger between ODM and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA). Speaking at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Raila emphasized that the move aims to alleviate the current political tensions in the country and promote national stability.
The MoU, which stems from the implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, is intended to address the economic, social, and political challenges facing Kenyans, according to Raila. He stressed that the agreement was designed to help ease the country's political pressure, reconcile divided communities, and improve the living conditions of ordinary citizens.
“This MoU does not signify the formation of a political coalition between ODM and UDA,” Raila stated. “Its goal is to ease the current political tension, address the suffering of our people, and move the country forward by tackling critical issues. While the successful implementation of this MoU could pave the way for future steps toward a more stable nation, it does not imply a merger of our political parties.”
Raila also reflected on his unexpected support from President Ruto regarding his bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chair position. He admitted that he did not anticipate any support from the Kenyan government, but President Ruto’s endorsement and backing of his campaign surprised him. “I never expected government support,” Raila said. “But President Ruto's announcement of support for my candidature was unexpected. I initially thought it might have been a way to get rid of me, but he was genuine, following up with full support and deploying resources to back my campaign.”
He further recalled his meeting with the President in Mombasa after the campaign, where he was presented with the MoU. However, he made it clear that he could not sign the document without consulting his supporters first.
Raila's statements aimed to quell any speculation that the MoU would lead to a formal political alliance between ODM and UDA, instead emphasizing the broader goal of national unity and progress.
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