UDA-ODM agreement is not a coalition, Ruto, Raila defend MoU
Head of state said the deal does not involve creation of positions or winning elections but is about the interest of Kenya and its citizens
President William Ruto has defended the MoU signed by the Kenya Kwanza administration and the ODM party, saying it is for the good of Kenyans and not political leaders.
Ruto stated that the broad-based arrangement is based on dealing with issues affecting Kenyans and not what is in for Raila, Ruto, or any political leader.
“The broad-based arrangement we have is inspired by how we can cross ranks and deal with the issues that affect the people of Kenya and not what’s in it for me or him,” Ruto stated.
The head of state congratulated Raila and his party, saying they have been bold and courageous to take the position for the Country and its citizens.
“It is a bold and courageous position to put Kenyans and its citizens at the forefront. It may not be a popular decision, but it is a great one. It is the right decision to stand with the people of Kenya,” Ruto added.
The head of state added that the agreement does not involve creation of positions or winning elections but is about the interest of Kenya and its citizens which he terms as significant.
“We need to make decisions as far as the people of Kenya are involved. We should stop making politically correct decisions now. We resolve to address youth’s unemployment, cost of living and gender inclusion,” he said.
In his remarks, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga supported the president’s statement, saying it is not a formation of a new coalition but steps towards the formation of a broad-based government for the betterment of Kenya.
“We make it clear that the MoU is not a formation of a political coalition for ODM and UDA. The successful implementation of the agreement will see the basis of steps towards the formation of a broad-based, constitutive, and progressive formation of a stable country in the future,” Raila stated.
“We urge all Kenyans interested in having a stable, inclusive, and progressive country. We urge every community and region to rally behind this formation to move Kenya forward,” he added.
Raila and Ruto formally signed a memorandum of Understanding today, days after the failed Africa Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid.
The MoU now integrates the ODM party into the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The agreement between the two party leaders was announced this afternoon at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC).
