Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has openly rejected the legitimacy of the political alliance between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, branding it a betrayal of the opposition’s mandate and a blow to democratic accountability.

Speaking during a live discussion on X Spaces on Sunday, April 20, 2025, Kioni accused opposition leaders of abandoning their constitutional responsibility to hold the government in check in favour of what he termed a politically expedient pact.

“It is unfortunate that those of us in opposition sacrificed the mandate that we were given by Kenyans. We in the opposition should be the ones holding those in the executive to account, and until we get that running, we will continue complaining and lamenting,” Kioni stated.

The former Ndaragwa MP took issue with the recently announced broad-based government framework, insisting that joining hands with the executive under that arrangement weakens the foundation of Kenya’s multi-party democracy.

“There was nothing to go and sit together in the broad-based thing. I don’t acknowledge it. You can still serve Kenyans effectively without compromising your oversight role,” he declared.

Kioni warned that the failure to maintain a strong opposition would only embolden the executive, accusing those who embraced the coalition of enabling unchecked power.

“That is why we are seeing these excesses from those in the executive, and we will continue to see this because they have compromised everybody,” he stated.

Ruto-Raila pact

Kioni’s criticism comes weeks after Ruto and Raila signed a political cooperation agreement on March 7, 2025, aimed at addressing key national challenges.

The deal, titled ‘Understanding to Resolve the Social and Political Challenges Facing Kenyans,’ outlined ten priority areas for joint action.

The pact commits both parties to implement the NADCO report, fostering inclusivity, strengthening devolution, combating corruption and wastage, and upholding the rule of law and constitutionalism.

Speaking at the event, Ruto maintained that the agreement was people-centred and not about power-sharing.

“This moment is not about William Ruto or Raila Odinga; this memorandum of understanding is not about sharing positions or winning elections. It is about the interests of the people of Kenya,” Ruto said.

Raila echoed the same sentiments, noting that while the pact does not constitute a political coalition, its implementation could lay the groundwork for future political alignment.

“We have agreed to use our parties as a broad platform bringing together various voices, opinions, and concerns to address the critical challenges facing the country through a formation that is truly inclusive in outlook. We make it clear that the memorandum we have signed today does not define the formation of a political coalition between ODM and UDA,” he said.

ODM secretary-general Edwin Sifuna, on his part, said the pact would address a political crisis that has hampered development over the years.

“Kenya has faced a long period of political crisis that has hampered development. H.E. Ruto and Raila, as leaders of the largest parties, acknowledge the need for a broad platform to collaborate and address these long-standing challenges,” Sifuna said.