'Don't trust him': How NIS midwifed Ruto-Raila power deal

President William Ruto poses in front of Minesh Rathod car at State House Nairobi on March 15, 2025. [Courtesy]

A warning by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) that giving the opposition the National Assembly’s Majority Leader position could expose him to impeachment led to a strategic retreat by President William Ruto.

The intelligence briefing -- which followed Raila Odinga’s unsuccessful bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship -- came at a time when ODM was pushing for significant positions in both Parliament and the Executive.

This pressure prompted Ruto to reach a deal with the opposition party, offering key parliamentary and Cabinet positions to secure the stability of his presidency.