Migori Senator Eddy Oketch has lauded the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, terming it a transformative step towards ending tribalism in Kenya’s governance.
Speaking in an interview with Citizen TV on Monday, Oketch emphasized that Kenya’s elections have historically been structured along ethnic lines, leading to governance that is often dominated by a few tribes. He believes the Ruto-Raila pact will introduce inclusivity and rid the political system of entrenched tribalism.
“I think the deal between the president and Raila Odinga is one of the most important things that has happened to us as a country. We have talked particularly about inclusivity. It is true,” Oketch stated.
The MoU, signed on Friday, seeks to address Kenya’s social, economic, and political challenges in 2025. The agreement outlines several key areas of cooperation between the two leaders, focusing on national unity and governance reforms.
One of the main aspects of the MoU is the full implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, which recommends significant reforms aimed at fostering inclusivity and fair representation of minority groups in government. The agreement also prioritizes strengthening devolution to enhance service delivery at the grassroots level.
Another crucial element of the deal is the commitment to safeguarding the right to protest and ensuring that the national police service adopts updated, more humane methods for handling demonstrators exercising their constitutional rights. This move aims to promote democracy and uphold civil liberties.
The MoU further addresses Kenya’s mounting national debt, with both parties agreeing that an extensive national audit must be conducted to ascertain the country’s financial status. Additionally, Ruto and Raila pledged to strengthen anti-corruption institutions, such as the Auditor General and the Controller of Budget, to enhance accountability and prevent wastage of public funds.
This political pact marks a significant shift in Kenya’s governance, with a focus on eradicating tribalism, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring responsible leadership. Whether this partnership will bring about tangible change remains to be seen, but for now, it signals a step towards a more unified and accountable government.
