Ruto-Raila sign pact in a highly charged, rally-like event

ODM supporters during the signing of Peace and Partnership Agreement between President William Ruto(2nd left) and ODM Leader Raila Odinga(right) at KICC, Nairobi on March 7, 2025 [Boniface Okendo, Standard] Kenyatta International Conference Centre Friday witnessed a rally-like event that saw a historic political moment in the country's politics yet again. A charged crowd awaited outside as President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga signed the anticipated agreement they termed as a "working corporation." Donned in ODM orange colours, the Raila supporters gathered outside KICC before 8am, indicating their readiness to walk with him the next political journey. Others held fliers painted the Kenyan flag while some had ...orange banners reading "friends of Raila." Party officials made their way into KICC's Lenana Conference for the signing ceremony. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichungwa, his Minority counterpart Junet Mohamed, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and his UDA counterpart Hassan Omar led National chairpersons for both parties, Governors Cecily Mbarire (UDA) and Gladys Wanga (ODM), among other leaders. In excitement, the leaders exchanged pleasantries until noon when Ruto and Raila made their entry into the already packed and decorated room, with the ODM and UDA flags and banners jointly up interspersed with the country's four flags. The leaders from the two factions who took to the podium bantered each other over their bitter exchanges in the past and promised to embrace the new formation that would bring them together for the "unity of the country." Narok Senator Ledama Olekina teased his co-master of ceremonies Ichungwa whom he said could not see eye to eye before Raila and Ruto had a bromance. Olekina was recalling the events of August 2022 during the announcement of Ruto's victory at Bomas of Kenya where he, disappointed with the presidential elections results, alongside some ODM leaders, protested against the announcement causing slight skirmishes. "I never thought I would be here ushering my two (ODM, UDA) party SGs," he said. ODM and Raila Odinga supporters celebrating while swimming and dancing after the signing of a political and governance agreement with President William Ruto at the Kenyatta International Conference Center on March 7, 2025. [Standard, Kanyiri Wahito] Called to the podium, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna restricted his speech to reading the 10-point issues that the formalised arrangement seeks to address. "We are clear on what it is and what it is not," said Sifuna even as he disclosed that the document was a joint efforts by the "relevant party organs," President Ruto who was introduced by Mr. Odinga lauded the later for the move to work with the government, saying "history is going to judge you (Raila) fair for what you have done to this nation." "I want you to be treated well...and I will make sure that you have respect in Kenya. I'm not doing it because I'm a younger person... you're an elder and the contribution you made deserves respect. And that's the relationship I have built today," Ruto said. Raila had said "any mad man can kick a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one," alluding to his decision to join Ruto's administration as premised on championing for unity because of widespread dissent against Ruto's administration. Key among the issues contained in the document and which they reiterated is compensating the victims of human rights abuse especially during the Gen Z protests in June, last year. "The derogation of rights to peaceful assembly and protests remains one of the most shameful realities on the excesses of Kenya's law and order responses since independence," the document reads part. ODM supporters after chanting and cheering on Nairobi streets and marching to KICC under the hot sun decided to cool off from the fountain water at KICC President William Ruto and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga signedartnership agreement on March 2025 [David Gichuru,Standard] After Ruto and Raila penned their signatures to the document it was displayed before cameras at around 1pm in a ceremony that barely lasted an hour. The duo then made their way to the steps of the iconic KICC building and were met with an electrifying crowd that overpowered the police and gained entry into the KICC front yard. Pro Ruto and Raila chants from the crowd rented the air amid speeches that only had the two leaders speak, with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja ushering in the ODM leader who in turn introduced the Head of State. "We want the cost of living to come down," Raila reiterated, maintaining that they have resolved to address challenges bedeviling the people of Kenya, especially youth unemployment among others. "Today is the day that we want to eradicate discrimination, tribalism and marginalisation," said Ruto amid chants. The signing of the MOU, however, elicited mixed reaction among the Nairobians as others warned that it could be mere political rhetoric. "It has come to me as a surprise...I expect the cost of living to go down...and the price of fuel to go down to sh90 per litre...otherwise the handshake can just be hot air," Collins Omondi said.

Ruto-Raila sign pact in a highly charged, rally-like event

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