President William Ruto and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga
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Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has sharply criticized President William Ruto's administration for its handling of the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the imposition of high taxes, including the Housing Levy.
Speaking at a funeral service in Kiambu County on Tuesday, March 11, Odinga voiced concerns over the government's alleged failure to address critical issues impacting Kenyans. Odinga specifically targets the SHA, stating that despite repeated calls for intervention, the Ruto government has neglected necessary reforms. He also describes the Housing Levy as an excessive burden on salaried citizens.
Odinga emphasizes that addressing these challenges requires active participation in governance, suggesting that change can only be achieved by engaging with those in power and advocating for solutions from within. He defends his recent agreement with President Ruto as a strategic move to tackle these issues, dismissing claims by Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka that he had betrayed Kenyans.
“We have said we do not want our people to continue suffering. You cannot have it addressed when you are outside. You have to be inside and have your people there so that you can tell them this and this needs to be done,” said Odinga.
Odinga clarifies that President Ruto initiated the cooperation, emphasizing that his commitment to serving the Kenyan people remains unchanged. He also refutes suggestions that the agreement was intended to influence the 2027 elections, stating that the decision ultimately rests with Kenyan voters.
The deal between Odinga and Ruto formalizes a collaborative relationship between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and ODM parties within a broad-based government framework.
Migori Senator Eddy Oketch has lauded the recent agreement between Ruto and Raila, asserting it holds the potential to fundamentally reshape Kenya's governance structure. Speaking on Citizen TV, Oketch emphasized that the deal could foster greater inclusivity and eradicate tribalism from national politics, particularly regarding government appointments which he claims tend to favour dominant ethnic groups within the ruling coalition. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by Ruto and Odinga on Friday, outlines a collaborative approach to tackling Kenya's pressing social, economic, and political issues ahead of 2025.
Key provisions of the MoU include full implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, aimed at instigating critical reforms, enhancing inclusivity for minority groups, and reinforcing devolution to improve local-level service delivery. The agreement also addresses the handling of public demonstrations, stipulating respect for Kenyans' constitutional right to protest and advocating for updated protocols within the National Police Service.
Further, the MoU commits both parties to conducting a national audit of the country's debt to ascertain its true financial status. In a joint effort to combat corruption, Ruto and Raila have pledged to strengthen accountability institutions, such as the Auditor General and the Controller of Budget, and to prevent the misuse of government resources.