The joint meeting of UDA and ODM Members of Parliament on Monday, August 18, 2025, in Karen, Nairobi, is more than just a political gathering; it is a platform to strengthen collaboration between the two parties and align on national development priorities. Against this backdrop, ODM leader Raila Odinga addressed what he described as one of Kenya’s critical obstacles to economic growth—investor confidence.

Raila warned that bureaucracy, public noise, and political interference are increasingly scaring away investors who come to Kenya to bring in private capital and create jobs.

“Investors come to the country bringing their resources to invest in Kenya, but they find there is too much bureaucracy, and they run away. Private capital is risk-averse; when they come to start a project and people make noise saying their projects haven’t been approved, or the project is being corruptly implemented, they run away,” Raila said.

He emphasised that creating a healthy environment for investment requires clear roles between the legislature and the executive.

According to Raila, lawmakers should focus on oversight and avoid competing with the executive in project implementation.

“The legislature should allow the executive to implement projects and correct them when they go wrong. This way, the country will develop,” he said.

Raila argued that political noise and public criticism, while part of democratic discourse, must be managed in a way that does not undermine Kenya’s growth.

Investors are particularly cautious and respond to delays or controversies by pulling out, he explained, making it crucial to provide a predictable and stable environment for projects to succeed.

The meeting also touched on broader cooperation between UDA and ODM, building on last year’s Memorandum of Understanding between President William Ruto and Raila Odinga. The gathering aimed to streamline parliamentary support for development initiatives while reducing unnecessary political friction that could slow down national projects.

Raila’s remarks serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between governance, accountability, and development. By allowing the executive to implement projects while maintaining robust oversight, he argued, Kenya can attract more investors, create employment, and accelerate economic growth.

The joint session in Karen, therefore, was not just a political dialogue but a call to action: for legislators, investors, and citizens to work together in fostering an environment conducive to development. According to Raila, when bureaucracy is minimised and political noise is controlled, Kenya can realise the full potential of both private investment and public projects.