Ruto-Raila Sign 10-Point MoU

In a dramatic political shift, President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga have formalized a cooperation agreement between their respective parties, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

This signals a new era of political collaboration in Kenya. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed Friday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, witnessed by prominent leaders from both the Kenya Kwanza coalition and the ODM party.
The accord centers on implementing the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, seeking to address socio-political issues through dialogue.

It also aims to foster national unity by committing to enhance inclusivity in budgetary allocations and public appointments to ensure equal opportunities for all Kenyans, regardless of religion or political affiliation. This is intended to build public trust and enhance a sense of belonging. The agreement prioritizes protecting and strengthening devolution, as enshrined in the 2010 Constitution, which established the 47 counties.

The parties pledge to support equitable development across the country and empower local governments to address community-specific needs. Recognizing the critical role of youth in economic progress, Ruto and Odinga have agreed to prioritize economic investment in the youth, emphasizing job creation and entrepreneurship to combat high unemployment rates.

In a move to promote transparency and accountability, the MoU addresses leadership integrity and seeks to end opulence among public officials. It includes measures to curb excessive displays of wealth and establish legal frameworks to address conflicts of interest within government institutions. Further commitments in the agreement include upholding the right to peaceful assembly, compensating victims of rights violations, and conducting an audit of the national debt to account for how each debt was utilized.

Additionally, the MoU commits to fighting corruption and stopping the wastage of public resources to restore public confidence in government institutions. The agreement also underscores the importance of protecting the sovereignty of the people, ending abductions, respecting constitutionalism and the rule of law, and upholding press freedom, all deemed essential for maintaining a democratic society.

To ensure effective collaboration, President Ruto and Raila Odinga have agreed to hold frequent consultations on pressing national issues and engage experts to address critical matters in a bid to foster cooperation and responsiveness to the needs of the people.