Embakasi North MP James Gakuya has strongly criticized the recent political agreement between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga. He claims the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is a selfish move that only serves Raila’s interests at the expense of ordinary Kenyans.
Speaking on Sunday, March 10, Gakuya stated that Raila’s decision to join forces with the government signals the end of his long-standing fight for Kenyans’ rights. He argued that the ODM leader is known for aligning himself with those in power to secure personal benefits rather than pushing for reforms.The MP warned that this new political alliance does not guarantee public support for the government. He pointed out that Raila previously joined hands with former President Uhuru Kenyatta but still failed to secure the presidency.
“Raila had a deal with Uhuru, yet we didn’t elect him. Now he wants to do the same with Ruto. This coalition is about his personal benefit, not the people,” Gakuya said.He added that Raila is accustomed to staying close to power and that his recent move proves he is not genuinely fighting for Kenyans. “If he truly wanted to push for the people’s rights, how can he do that while working with the same government?” the MP questioned.
Gakuya also dismissed Raila’s political influence, claiming it has been declining over the years. He argued that President Ruto believes Raila’s support will strengthen his grip on power, but in reality, the ODM leader is not as powerful as he once was.”The Raila of today is not the same as before. His influence has been fading,” he said.
The MP further claimed that the alliance would lead to major government changes, including reshuffling parliamentary committees, ministerial positions, and ambassadorial appointments. He accused the government of using these changes to keep Raila loyal.”This new deal is already costing some of us positions in Parliament, and soon it will extend to ministries and diplomatic jobs. But we are used to this,” he added.
The MoU, signed on March 7, aims to foster cooperation between ODM and UDA, focusing on governance, corruption, and the NADCO report from 2023. However, several political leaders, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, have opposed the agreement.
Kalonzo called it “the biggest betrayal of Kenyans,” while Omtatah warned that supporting NADCO means waging war on the country’s future.Despite the criticism, Ruto and Raila insist their agreement is about national unity, not a political merger. However, opposition voices continue to question the true motive behind their unexpected partnership.
Link
https://x.com/Kenyans/status/1899012646206103974?s=19
