Shortly after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with President William Ruto, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has made fresh demands, urging the government to allocate more funds to counties and political parties.
Speaking at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Friday, Odinga insisted that counties should receive a minimum of Ksh 450 billion in the next financial year.
He stated that he would table a proposal to ensure this funding is implemented, emphasizing that strengthening devolution is key to promoting balanced development across the country.
Additionally, Odinga pushed for increased financial support for political parties, arguing that well-funded political parties play a crucial role in fostering democracy and reinforcing public confidence in government institutions.
“We are fully committed to strengthening devolution, as it is the backbone of inclusive development in our country,” he said. “That is why we will introduce a proposal to guarantee that counties receive no less than Ksh 450 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year.
We will also ensure that political parties receive adequate funding, as they serve as vital channels for representing the hopes and aspirations of our people.”
MoU Between Ruto and Raila
President Ruto and Odinga signed the MoU to formalize a working relationship between their parties. Odinga explained that the agreement is intended to ease political tensions, foster national unity, and address longstanding issues that have repeatedly hindered the country’s progress.
“The purpose of this MoU is to calm the current political climate, reconcile different sections of the population, and move the country forward by tackling critical social, political, and economic challenges that have persisted for decades,” Odinga stated.
Following the signing of the MoU, he announced that leaders from both parties would hold regular consultative meetings to review governance issues and explore ways to improve leadership in the country.
Odinga also reaffirmed his dedication to upholding fundamental rights, including freedom of speech, the right to peaceful protest, and public assembly, while ensuring that the rule of law remains a priority.
“We will use this platform to review constitutional provisions on leadership and integrity, corruption, and fundamental freedoms such as free speech and public protests. We are also committed to preserving and upholding the rule of law at all times,” he added.
Other Agreements Reached
Beyond the financial and governance issues, both leaders agreed on several key areas of cooperation, including:
- Full implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report to ensure key political and economic issues are addressed.
- Addressing youth unemployment by creating job opportunities and economic empowerment programs.
- Implementation of the two-thirds gender rule to enhance women’s representation in leadership and governance.
Odinga stressed that many of the country’s challenges have existed for years and can only be resolved through genuine dialogue, trust between leaders, and a united approach.
“Many of these challenges have been with us since independence. To overcome them, leaders must work together in good faith, create an environment of trust, and tackle these issues with honesty and objectivity,” he concluded.
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