Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has for the first time shed light on the behind-the-scenes discussions that led him to reach a truce with President William Ruto during one of the most turbulent political moments in the country’s history.
Speaking during an ODM Parliamentary Group meeting on Monday, September 22, Raila explained that he decided to engage with the Kenya Kwanza administration in order to safeguard peace and national stability.
He said the country was facing dangerous levels of tension, and a consensus was the only way to prevent a total collapse.
“About a year ago, we sat down with the UDA leadership to help steady the ship of our nation. At the time, Kenya had been shaken by strong political storms and was on the verge of going under,” Raila revealed.
The opposition chief recalled the heated period in 2024, when the Finance Bill protests rocked the country. His decision to enter into talks with President Ruto drew mixed reactions, as many Kenyans could not understand why he had softened his stance after weeks of leading the demonstrations.
Raila explained that the situation was far worse than most people realised, particularly after the government deployed the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) onto the streets.
“Some people may not fully know the extent of the danger we were in, but because I had a clear first-hand view of the events, I can tell you that Kenya was standing right on the edge,” he said.
Raila stressed that without his intervention, the country risked sliding into military rule. He noted that although the soldiers appeared calm and did not directly confront civilians at first, the situation could have changed instantly had they received strict orders from above.
“You saw the military patrolling the streets. They looked fairly civil to citizens, but that was only because they had not been commanded otherwise. We all know the role of the Chief of Defence Forces — when the army receives instructions, it does not hesitate. At that time, they almost carried out those instructions,” Raila added.
The ODM leader said he chose the path of dialogue and compromise to ensure Kenya remained a civil democracy, where leadership is decided through the ballot box and not by the barrel of the gun.
He reminded his party members that he has made similar sacrifices before, citing the 2007 post-election crisis where he also let go of his claim to power for the sake of peace and stability.
Raila disclosed that although his talks with President Ruto began informally, the two leaders eventually formalized their partnership. In March 2025, they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that outlined their joint commitments.
Among the agreements included in the MoU are the full adoption of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) recommendations, the creation of more jobs for the youth, and finally addressing the long-delayed two-thirds gender rule.
The pact also focused on inclusivity, with both Raila and Ruto agreeing to ensure equal opportunities for Kenyans regardless of their political affiliation, religion, or background. According to them, inclusivity is key in ensuring that all citizens, especially in matters of public appointments, feel represented and valued.
By revealing these details, Raila made it clear that his choice to join forces with President Ruto was not out of personal gain but out of responsibility to prevent Kenya from sliding into chaos.
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