Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei has dismissed notions that the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga constitutes a power-sharing agreement.

Speaking on a local media station on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, Sigei emphasized that the agreement does not violate any laws or democratic principles, clarifying that it is not a coalition pact but an understanding of key national matters.

“This document has nothing illegal in it. There is nothing undemocratic in this particular document. One of our constitutional edicts is to allow Kenyans to exercise their democratic space,” he stated.

The senator explained that the agreement outlines how the two leaders will work together to address issues of national importance through their respective political structures.

“This MoU is not a power-sharing document, it is an understanding of how the two leaders [will work together]. It is not a coalition actually; that was expressly made,” Sigei stated.

To support his argument, Sigei cited the final paragraph of the agreement, which outlines the nature of the cooperation.

“The President and Raila Odinga in the last paragraph wrote, ‘That the two leaders shall deploy their political infrastructure to examine the above matters.’ They shall engage the necessary expertise that will assist to address the matters arising,” he explained.

According to Sigei, the agreement focuses on the ten points outlined in the document and allows for addressing other issues as they come up, leveraging the necessary expertise to tackle these matters.

“Therefore, when goodwill and understanding exist between these two political formations, nothing in law denies them that cooperation and working together to ensure that we run the country,” he added.

Ruto-Raila pact

On Friday, March 7, 2025, President Ruto and Raila Odinga signed a framework agreement that will establish collaboration between the Kenya Kwanza coalition and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party in government.

The agreement, titled ‘Understanding to Resolve the Social and Political Challenges Facing Kenyans,’ aims to address ten key issues affecting the Kenyan population.

The pact seeks 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.

During the signing event, Ruto emphasized that the memorandum of understanding is focused on prioritizing the interests of the citizens.

“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.

In contrast, Raila remarked that the MoU would help ease tensions and alleviate the political, social, and economic issues plaguing 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 future,” he said.