President William Ruto has strongly defended his recent political agreement with ODM leader Raila Odinga, dismissing accusations that the move is a betrayal of the nation’s founding principles.
Speaking during an Easter Sunday church service in Ntulele, Narok County, the President indirectly addressed the bold front-page headline by The Standard newspaper, which likened his handshake with Raila to a biblical betrayal.
“You can see today we are seated here—Azimio and Kenya Kwanza governments. The unity we are pushing in Kenya is divine and God-ordained,” Ruto said. “That is how we can be blessed as a nation—if we are united.”
Without naming the publication directly, the Head of State slammed what he called misleading narratives in the media.
“Those telling us through newspapers that unity is betrayal—it’s shameful and tragic,” Ruto added. “While the bishop is telling us nothing is impossible when we are united, the devil is pushing a different message. May the devil be defeated.”
Standard’s Controversial Cover
The Standard caused a stir with its Sunday cover image, equating the Raila-Ruto pact to Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus. The cover featured symbolic imagery and a stark message: “Just as the biblical Eden was lost through defiance and betrayal, so too has Kenya’s dream of a just and prosperous nation been squandered by those entrusted to guard it.”
The publication accused the country’s top leaders of abandoning Kenya’s founding vision “at the altar of political expediency, impunity, and personal gain.”
The MoU Between Raila and Ruto
The March 2025 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between President Ruto and Raila Odinga followed Raila’s unsuccessful bid for the African Union Commission Chairperson seat.
The MoU outlined several priority areas, including:
- Full implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report,
- Addressing youth unemployment,
- Realizing the two-thirds gender rule,
- Promoting inclusivity across all sectors.
The two leaders also agreed on measures to ensure fair representation and equal opportunities for all Kenyans, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation.
Raila Distances Himself from Kenya Kwanza
Despite the growing collaboration, Raila has reiterated that he is not part of the Kenya Kwanza government. Instead, he maintains that the ODM’s involvement is purely advisory—focused on offering guidance to address urgent national issues.
“Our engagement is not about joining government but about finding solutions for Kenyans,” Raila stated during a recent public address.
As public debate continues over the significance and implications of the pact, President Ruto appears keen on emphasizing national unity over partisanship—while critics continue to question the deeper motives behind this newfound political harmony.