Dagoretti South Member of Parliament John Kiarie has asserted that his constituency will remain firmly aligned with President William Ruto’s government despite the recent political agreement between the President and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Speaking on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Kiarie stressed that political direction in Nairobi is often shaped in Dagoretti, which has consistently been a part of the ruling government.

“Mr President, Nairobi’s tradition is that the politics of Nairobi is arranged here in Mutuini. What Mutuini says is what Nairobi says, and for many years, Dagoretti has been within the government,” Kiarie stated.

The lawmaker dismissed any notion that Dagoretti could be sidelined, stressing its commitment to working with the Kenya Kwanza administration.

“The people of Dagoretti have said with one voice that this Kenya belongs to many tribes, many religions, and people of all classes. Here in Mutuini, we have people from all over Kenya,” he said.

In what appeared to be a message directed at potential political rivals, Kiarie declared that his constituency would not be pushed out of government.

“We have said we will unite with your government. We will deal with government matters, and we will not be removed from the government as the people of Dagoretti,” he emphasized.

Kiarie also expressed support for President Ruto’s recent agreement with ODM leader Raila Odinga, urging the President to focus on delivering development projects.

“We have supported your union with Raila Odinga, and we say continue forward and bring us these development projects from the government,” Kiarie 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.