Just days after Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga entered into a deal with President William Ruto, he has issued fresh demands.
Raila on Tuesday, March 11, hit out at Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration for what he argued was failing to resolve several issues affecting Kenyans.
Speaking during a funeral service in Kiambu County, Raila faulted Ruto for poor governance, failing to address the challenges in the Social Health Authority (SHA), and imposing high taxes on Kenyans, including the Housing Levy, which he now says the head of state must address.
“I have told Ruto that SHA has a problem; it must be corrected. The taxes being imposed on Kenyans are also high, especially one on the houses,” he said.
Raila on deal with Ruto
Raila also dismissed claims that he has abandoned Kenyans to join and support Ruto.
According to him, he never approached the head of state for a deal, and that his stance remains the same.
The 2022 Azimio presidential flag bearer says it is Ruto who approached him.
“I have heard people saying that I have joined President William Ruto. I want to say that I never approached Ruto; it was Ruto who approached me. My stand remains the same,” Raila said.
Raila went ahead to claim that the Kenya Kwanza administration has developed a cold feet, prompting them to approach him for support.
According to Raila, the 10 point-agenda in the deal signed between him and Ruto is just a chance for the Kenya Kwanza administration to redeem themselves, by fulfilling the issues raised in the joint working framework agreement.
“These guys have caught cold feet and come to us, that’s why I’ve given them the ten agendas you saw. Those are the things we were always asking for and they’ve said they will fulfill them. We will give them an opportunity to work on those things,” Raila said.
ODM-UDA deal
On Friday, March 7, 2025, President Ruto and Raila signed a joint working framework agreement aimed at establishing collaboration between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party in government.
The agreement, titled “Understanding to Resolve the Social and Political Challenges Facing Kenyans,” seeks to address ten key issues affecting the Kenyan population.
This pact aims to expedite the full implementation of the NADCO report, promote inclusivity in public life, strengthen devolution, protect the livelihoods of young people, uphold leadership and integrity, safeguard the right to peaceful assembly and protest, tackle the national debt, combat corruption, eliminate public resource wastage, enhance government efficiency, and protect the sovereignty of the people, the rule of law, and constitutionalism.
However, the pact has attracted criticism from a section of Kenyans and leaders, some of whom have viewed it as a betrayal.
