A political storm is brewing following the recent pact between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, with allies of former President Uhuru Kenyatta voicing strong opposition.
On Sunday, key figures from the Jubilee Party, led by Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, openly criticized the agreement, calling it a betrayal of the Azimio coalition.
Kioni, a vocal supporter of Uhuru, claimed that Raila entered into the deal without consulting his political allies.
Jubilee Party SG Jeremiah Kioni during a past presser. Photo: NTV Kenya Source: X
He warned that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) could derail ongoing national dialogue efforts and undermine critical electoral reforms.
“We campaigned together as Azimio. If you decide to change course, the least you can do is inform those who stood by you. You cannot just walk away as if you have stolen something,” Kioni remarked.
The protests extended beyond Jubilee, with Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi warning that the deal had sidelined millions of Kenyans who had placed their hopes in the opposition. However, he urged Ruto and Raila to now focus on tackling corruption and impunity.
Jeremiah Kioni speaks during a past media presser. Photo: Nation Source: Facebook
Former Mosop MP Vincent Tuwei also criticized Ruto, arguing that Raila is politically unpredictable and could abandon the agreement at any moment.
Despite the backlash, ODM leaders, including Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, defended the deal, saying it would foster unity and accelerate development.
As political tensions rise, the real impact of the Ruto-Raila partnership remains to be seen. Will it lead to a more stable government, or will it deepen divisions within Kenya’s political landscape? Only time will tell.
