“Kenya is in a Better Place”: Raila Hails “Early Fruits” of ODM–UDA Pact

Raila Odinga has once again defended the Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) decision to partner with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), describing it as a necessary compromise for the good of Kenyans.

Speaking in Machakos on Monday, September 22, during an ODM Parliamentary Group meeting, Raila said the pact signed in March 2025 had already delivered on its core mission.

“This far, a core agenda of our coming together has been achieved. We have a stable and peaceful country. We beat up the chaos and created an environment where we could agree to disagree without fights,” he noted.

Raila praised ODM MPs for their role in fostering harmony, noting that political differences should never outweigh the responsibility of putting Kenya first.

“I recognise the role our MPs play in preserving the nation. Whatever differences we have, as parties or leaders, we must have the country first; only then can we set on perfecting the imperfection and who is to lead the nation. This is a core belief of our party,” Raila added.

Odinga reaffirmed that ODM will stand firm as a partner in President Ruto’s government despite criticism from some quarters.

“As a party, we need not be ashamed or shy to remind the country that we are pursuing compromise, and we will continue doing so in the interest of the nation. Back in 2007/08, we could have chosen confrontation instead of dialogue, but we saw the danger of Kenya collapsing,” he said.

Early Fruits of Cooperation

He pointed to joint initiatives such as the NADCO report as proof of the progress made through compromise but admitted that more effort is needed to rebuild the country and create a truly responsive government.

“Today, we see the early fruits of cooperating political parties. With the support of government experts, we delivered a widely accepted budget. We are not yet out of the woods, but we are in a better place than we were in 2023 or 2024. Much work remains in our pursuit of a stable nation that truly serves its people,” Raila added.

Odinga at the same time cautioned politicians against taking the easy route of heckling, saying he had walked that road before and understood where it leads.

Instead, he urged leaders to embrace the true weight of leadership.

“In times like these, it is possible for politicians to spend more time listening to echoes of their own voices and cheers of the masses and forget that we are leaders and forget that we are supposed to be leading,” he said. “In times like this, it is possible to be lost in a populist campaign and forget that leading may result to booing instead of cheers. I have been there, I have been cheered and booed,” he added.

Lessons From the Past

The veteran politician recalled being sidelined during his push for constitutional reforms that paved the way for the 2010 Constitution, which Kenyans now celebrate.

“My colleague in parliament once disowned me when, along with KANU, I championed the review of constitution reforms, which formed the basis of the 2010 constitution that many hail today,” he said. He urged members to stand firm for what is right for both the party and the country.

“I urge you to soldier on this course. It is good for our country,” he emphasized.

Raila wrapped up his address by challenging the ODM Parliamentary Group to lead with conviction rather than be swayed by emotions or fleeting populist trends.

“My appeal to you is that you should never feel powerless as populists around you are seeking popularity at the expense of leadership,” he stated. “There is time to lead and a time to acknowledge scholars. Cheering masses come, change, and go, but solid service to the nation, brought against all odds, stands the test of history,” he added.

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