Video of William Ruto Ruling out Partnership with Raila Emerges: “No Opposition in Govt”
Citing past political deals, Ruto condemned the famous 2018 handshake between his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila. He also criticized the grand coalition government of 2008, which united Raila and late President Mwai Kibaki after the violent 2007 elections.
Ruto saw these alliances as threats to democracy. He warned that blurring the lines between government and opposition would weaken oversight and accountability.
“There are handshakes that bring the opposition and government together, making it some conundrum, a mongrel, and an outfit that is undemocratic, unconstitutional, and illegal,” Ruto declared in a past speech.
The Unexpected Shift: Ruto and Raila Unite
Despite his past strong opposition, Ruto made a stunning reversal. On Friday, March 7, he embraced a working partnership with Raila Odinga under the UDA-ODM Joint Framework.
This move marks a major shift from his earlier stance. The agreement, built on recommendations from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO), outlines their collaboration on national issues.
The pact was formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by ODM’s Edwin Sifuna and UDA’s Hassan Omar. It commits both sides to tackling urgent challenges like the high cost of living, youth unemployment, and gender equality in governance.
Key Agreements in the MoU
Under the agreement, Ruto and Raila pledged to:
- Work together to address Kenya’s economic crisis.
- Strengthen devolution by increasing county budget allocations.
- Ensure fair resource distribution and government appointments for all Kenyans.
- Promote youth employment opportunities.
Raila’s Assurance: Not About 2027 Elections
Amid speculation, Raila denied claims that this partnership is linked to the 2027 elections. He insisted that the agreement is purely about national interest.
Public Reactions: A Divided Nation
The deal has sparked mixed reactions across the political landscape. Some see it as a positive step toward unity, while others criticize Ruto for going back on his word. The opposition’s role in governance now faces uncertainty, raising concerns about whether real checks and balances will exist.
As Kenyans debate this unexpected alliance, one question lingers—was Ruto’s firm stand against Raila just a political strategy all along?
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Video of William Ruto Ruling out Partnership with Raila Emerges: “No Opposition in Govt”
