Ruto in new bid to retain Raila in his fold

President William Ruto has moved to establish a five-member team to steer his political deal with ODM boss Raila Odinga, signalling his firm resolve to keep the veteran politician within his fold.

The President, who has lost ground in Mt Kenya following the falling out with his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, is banking on Raila’s backing to secure his re-election in 2027.

The move to set up a five-member panel to oversee the implementation of the MoU and the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report reinforces further the resolve to retain the ODM boss.

Ruto’s senior adviser on constitutional affairs Makau Mutua, termed the constitution of the panel a huge step by the two political titans.

“This is a huge step by William Ruto and Raila Odinga to answer to the urgent call for nationhood. A giant leap into a great future,” he said on Thursday.

Observers say the move is aimed at cementing the working relationship with Raila at a time when the President is grappling with growing dissent in Mt Kenya—once a critical base of his political machinery.

Analysts view the panel as a key signal that the President is prepared to make concessions to keep Raila close, even if it means unsettling elements within his own coalition.

Political analyst Martin Andati, while admitting the move is meant to retain Raila, also argued that it is more to assist Raila manage discontent in his Orange Party.

Raila allies have recently expressed strong opposition to the deal with ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna terming the MoU ‘dead’.

“The President is trying to help Raila manage restlessness in the ODM party,” Andati told the Star on the phone.

The panel, composed of close allies from both camps, is tasked with ensuring the smooth execution of the contentious bipartisan MoU.

President Ruto and the ODM boss on Wednesday formed a five-member committee to oversee the implementation of a 10-Point Agenda and the NADCO Report.

The move though is part of the two leaders March 7 Memorandum of Understanding, is seen as a concession by the President to the demands of his broad-based partner.

The MoU between UDA and ODM seeks to, among others, foster national cohesion and drive inclusive prosperity through what the two leaders described as “a broad framework for cooperation and collaboration across all political formations and other key stakeholders”.

According to a joint statement issued on August 6, the MoU’s commitments include “full implementation of the NADCO Report”, inclusivity in public life, protection and strengthening of devolution, safeguarding youth livelihoods and promoting leadership and integrity.

It will also seek to ensure the right to peaceful assembly, addressing the national debt, fighting corruption, preventing wastage of public resources, and “protecting and promoting sovereignty of the people, rule of law, and Constitutionalism”.

The committee will be chaired by Agnes Zani, with Fatuma Ibrahim, Kevin Kiarie, Gabriel Oguda, and Javas Bigambo serving as members.

The committee, which started work immediately, will be submitting progress reports to the two principals every two months.

The report will also be submitted quarterly to a joint Kenya Kwanza–ODM Parliamentary Group.

The Parliamentary Group will hold its first sitting on August 18.

"A final comprehensive report detailing the status of the MoU's implementation will be released to the public on March 7, 2026, marking the one-year anniversary of its signing," the statement signed by Ruto and Raila stated.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

To help the five-member team deliver on its mandate, a Joint Secretariat, co-led by Executive Secretaries from UDA and ODM, has also been established “to support the committee’s operations.”