Mau Mau Veterans Association endorses Ruto-Raila pact
By Cy Muganda, March 13, 2025The Mau Mau War Veterans Association has thrown its support behind the political pact between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, terming it as a step toward national unity and progress.
Speaking during a courtesy call to Raila Odinga on March 13, 2025, Mau Mau Veterans Association Secretary General Gitu Wa Kahengeri expressed the organization’s support for the political cooperation, emphasizing that unity was instrumental in Kenya’s independence struggle.
“Your Excellency, we have come because we know that whenever we knock on your door, you open it for us. We are here to tell you that we fully support what you are doing in government because our country must be united. Unity is strength. During the struggle for independence, we remained united,” Kahengeri stated.
He recalled Raila’s past efforts in championing the rights of Mau Mau veterans, notably his role in securing Ksh 2.6 billion in compensation from the British government for colonial-era atrocities.
“We believe what we’ve discussed today, you will fulfill because, in the past, you helped us with our case in Britain and brought Ksh 2.6 billion to Kenyans who were enslaved by the British,” Kahengeri added.
Kahengeri also invited Raila to address millions of freedom fighters at a future gathering, asserting that the unity between Ruto and the former Prime Minister could propel Kenya to the level of developed nations like the USA, UK, and Germany.
“For this reason, we believe in your leadership and invite you to address the people who fought for this country. We will gather them in their thousands so you can guide them on the way forward for national unity and development,” added.
Raila’s response
On his part, Raila Odinga welcomed the veterans’ endorsement, acknowledging their concerns about the country’s pressing challenges, including the high cost of living, corruption, insecurity, and inefficiencies in the healthcare sector.
“They came because they are patriots who want to see Kenya progress peacefully. They told me about the struggles Kenyans are facing—rising cost of living, high taxation, challenges in accessing healthcare, corruption, and insecurity. People are being kidnapped, others are killed, and crime is on the rise,” Raila stated.
He reiterated that the framework agreement he signed with President Ruto aims to address these issues through national dialogue and cooperation.
“We tried everything to resolve these problems, and that is why we signed this agreement with President Ruto to ensure Kenya moves forward peacefully,” he added.
Ruto-Raila pact
On March 7, 2025, President Ruto and Raila Odinga signed a framework agreement to foster cooperation between the Kenya Kwanza coalition and ODM.
The agreement, titled “Understanding to Resolve the Social and Political Challenges Facing Kenyans,” seeks to address ten key issues affecting the Kenyan population.
This pact aims to expedite the full implementation of the NADCO report, promote inclusivity in public life, strengthen devolution, protect the livelihoods of young people, uphold leadership and integrity, safeguard the right to peaceful assembly and protest, tackle the national debt, combat corruption, eliminate public resource wastage, enhance government efficiency, and protect the sovereignty of the people, the rule of law, and constitutionalism.
Speaking at the event, Ruto insisted that the pact was about addressing the country’s challenges rather than political interests.
“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, on his part, said the agreement would help ease tensions and address political, social, and economic issues affecting the country.
“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. However, its successful implementation could inform the basis of steps towards the establishment of a constitutive formation of a stable country in the future,” he said.