President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga have reached a political cooperation agreement, but it is not a coalition. While this may seem like a minor distinction, the two concepts are vastly different in terms of structure and execution.
Understanding Political Cooperation
A political cooperation deal is an agreement between political parties, coalitions, or leaders to work together on specific issues or shared objectives. Unlike coalitions or party mergers, these agreements are usually more flexible, temporary, and do not require legally binding commitments.
They allow parties to collaborate on common interests without necessarily forming a unified political front.
This is precisely the nature of the agreement signed between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Notably, the deal was made between these two individual parties, not between Kenya Kwanza and ODM as coalitions.
Key Highlights of the 10-Point Agreement
The agreement outlines a 10-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting national unity and addressing governance concerns. Some of the major points included in the deal are:
- Full Implementation of the NADCO Report – The two parties committed to implementing recommendations from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) to improve governance and national stability.
- Inclusivity in Public Appointments and Budget Allocation – Ensuring fairness and equal distribution of government resources across all regions.
- Protection and Strengthening of Devolution – Commitment to upholding county governments and their financial independence.
- Economic Investment in Youth – Focusing on programs and policies that create jobs and empower young people economically.
- Promotion of Leadership Integrity – Advocating for ethical leadership while discouraging extravagant lifestyles among public officials.
- Protection of Citizens’ Rights – Upholding the right to peaceful demonstrations and ensuring that victims of past human rights violations receive justice and compensation.
- Audit of National Debt Usage – Conducting a thorough review of how government loans have been utilized to ensure accountability.
- Anti-Corruption Efforts – Committing to a united fight against corruption and the misuse of public funds.
- Respect for Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law – Preventing illegal abductions and unlawful arrests while ensuring law enforcement follows the constitution.
- Press Freedom and Democratic Governance – Safeguarding media independence and creating a political environment that respects free speech.
Not a Coalition, But a Political Understanding
Speaking on the matter, Raila Odinga clarified that this agreement does not mean ODM and UDA have formed a political coalition. He, however, noted that if the agreement is successfully implemented, it could lay the groundwork for broader political cooperation in the future.
The nature of this deal is similar to the 2018 Handshake Agreement between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga. Like that arrangement, this political cooperation serves as a “working political framework”—a term that does not have a strict legal definition in Kenya but refers to informal or formal agreements between parties to support each other on specific governance issues.
How a Coalition Differs from Political Cooperation
A coalition is a formal alliance between two or more political parties, usually formed to boost election chances or strengthen legislative influence. In Kenya, coalitions can be established either before or after elections. While parties in a coalition still maintain their independent identities, they agree on shared objectives and often work together in governance.
In contrast, political cooperation does not require parties to merge or align in elections. Instead, it allows them to collaborate on particular policies and governance issues while maintaining their separate identities.
This agreement between UDA and ODM reflects a strategic move by both parties to address key governance issues while keeping their individual political ambitions intact. Whether it will lead to a broader political realignment in the future remains to be seen.
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