Why Raila should formalise his pact with Ruto

Political enigma Raila Odinga now owes it to his lieutenants how best to interact with President William Ruto, having condemned him for all manner of wrongs. That the president is extremely relieved from the Gen Z streets protests was evident as he joyously introduced leaders from the opposition during his just-ended Gusii development cum meet the people tours. On hand to receive the president were ODM leaders who even out-shined the UDA brigade in singing praises for the head of state. Since the formation of what Ruto termed a broad-based government, opposition leader Raila Odinga's lieutenants look confused on whether to side with the dissatisfied public in accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of making life unbearable or to defend Ruto. With these conflicting stances, ODM supporters seem confused as to how to relate with the ruling class. The newfound political comradeship between Raila and Ruto will most likely be concrete as the ODM leader hits the ground campaigning for the AUC seat in which he entirely relies on government financial muscle to crisscross the continent seeking for votes. The major test will occur in the 2027 polls, a situation that obviously leaves the two leaders' supporters at crossroads as to how to deal with each other. Am left wondering how Raila and his ardent supporters will attack the Ruto administration, which they are now part of. There's no way the Raila-led ODM will, come next campaigns, be exonerated from any performance shortcomings when already halfway through, the main opposition party's top brains are in that very government. The best Raila can do to avoid the 2027 confusion is to formalise his being in government and insist on good joint governance. He should, for example, look for a way to harmonise his own manifesto that he almost won the presidency with in 2022, with that of Ruto and have key areas worked on. Raila should prevail upon Ruto to make key changes, mainly areas of concern to the general public which can improve the country's economy, lower costs of essential commodities and have a true face of Kenya in government. Raila should ensure the much-talked-about national dialogue takes place before he gets consumed with the African chairmanship campaigns. If the Ruto administration fails to deliver, Raila will find himself sharing any blame from Kenyans. Those initially opposed to Raila's inclusion in government, now that he has openly admitted to wider consultations even with former President Uhuru Kenyatta prior to the new look government, will now have to sail through with Ruto or sink with him at the end of his current term. That he's squarely in government has started to manifest faster in public than anticipated as some Rift Valley leaders even asked him to bring back former IEBC commissioner Irene Massit from exile. In the past, such a request would have been directed at the president but to those Elgeyo Marakwet leaders, Raila has such powers now and they even went a notch higher telling Baba to not only bring her back but also give her a job. What Ruto and Raila must do now is quickly work on how to make their camps embrace each other away from dirty normal character assassination tactics they had mastered against each other as they defended them. Bottom line, Ruto and Raila should harmonise their political partnership. Mr. Omanga is a journalist

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