Raila declares that core agenda of joining Ruto’s govt has been achieved
By Luke Oluoch, September 22, 2025Raila Odinga has defended the Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) move to join William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance, terming it a compromise for the people of Kenya.
Speaking on Monday, September 22, in Machakos during the Parliamentary Group meeting, Raila stated that ODM had achieved its target since joining the government through the pact signed in March 2025.
Agenda achieved
“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 stated.
The ODM supremo acknowledged the role of ODM MPs in helping achieve a harmonious working relationship.
“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,” he stated.
Raila’s remarks follow after the latest survey released by TIFA showed that support for the broad-based government had increased by 7 per cent.
Backlash
He further stated that the party will remain a proud partner of the Ruto government despite the ongoing backlash.
“As a party, we need not to be ashamed or shy to remind the country that we are pursuing compromise and will do that in the interest of the nation. We had the option of taking out in bitter ned in 2007/08. All we needed was to say we didn’t want any talks, but we saw the danger of Kenya collapsing,” he added.
Odinga also highlighted the agreement programs, like the NADCO report, as key milestones of making compromises, while admitting the need for much more to be done in restoring Kenya and establishing a responsive government.
“Today, we see the early fruits of cooperating political parties. We have come out with a widely accepted budget thanks to the experts in government. We are not yet out of the woods, but we are at a better place than we were in 2-23 or 2024. Much work remains to be done in pursuit of a proper and stable country that delivers for its citizens,” he stated.