Wamalwa accuses Raila of deceiving Kenyans with 10-point UDA-ODM pact
By Cy Muganda, April 27, 2025Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa has launched a scathing attack on ODM leader Raila Odinga, accusing him of misleading Kenyans about his role in President William Ruto’s government.
Speaking at a burial ceremony in Bungoma on Saturday, April 26, 2025, Wamalwa claimed that Raila had fully joined the Kenya Kwanza administration through the post-election pact signed between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and ODM, despite presenting a different narrative to the public.
“You, Raila Odinga, used to tell us many riddles. You said there’s something that looks like a snake but is not a snake. It goes here and there, you don’t know where it’s heading,” Wamalwa said, referencing Raila’s often cryptic political statements.
“But today we want to tell Raila: it doesn’t matter how many times you deny it — you are fully in government,” he added.
Wamalwa accused Raila of deceiving Kenyans by denying his involvement in the Kenya Kwanza government, arguing that the pact signed at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) was exclusively between UDA and ODM.
“There was no Wetangula and Ford Kenya there. There was no Mudavadi and ANC there. Meaning, the post-election pact creating the broad-based government is a UDA-ODM government,” he noted.
Wamalwa further cited key government appointments given to Raila’s allies as proof of ODM’s central role in the administration.
“You have been given positions, the entire National Treasury, you have taken to your Nyanza. All the Energy Ministry, you have taken to your Nyanza. Attorney General, the chairman of the parliamentary budget committee, you have taken your region. The chairman of energy, you have given to your brother, from the same home,” he charged.
“Even now, we hear your child has also been given a job to be Ruto’s advisor. And you still want us to believe you’re not in government, Mr. Raila? No, the fools in Kenya are finished,” he stated.
He concluded by asserting that Raila was now a major shareholder in what he termed a “nusu mkate” (half-loaf) government and urged the public not to be misled by further denials.
“Everybody here in Bungoma knows that Raila is in government. He is in a coalition government, he is the main shareholder in the broad-based government. That’s the truth, whether it’s true or not,” he stated.
Ruto-Raila pact
Ruto and Raila signed a political cooperation agreement on March 7, 2025, aimed at addressing key national challenges.
The deal, titled ‘Understanding to Resolve the Social and Political Challenges Facing Kenyans,’ outlines ten priority areas for joint action.
The pact commits both parties to implementing the NADCO report, fostering inclusivity, strengthening devolution, combating corruption and waste, and upholding the rule of law and constitutionalism.
During the pact-signing event at KICC, Ruto maintained that the agreement is people-centred and not about power-sharing.
“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 echoed these sentiments, noting that while the pact does not constitute a political coalition, its implementation could pave the way for future political alignment.
“We have agreed to use our parties as a broad platform to bring together various voices, opinions, and concerns to tackle the critical challenges facing the country through a formation that is truly inclusive. We make it clear that the memorandum we have signed today does not define the formation of a political coalition between ODM and UDA,” he said.
ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna added that the pact would address a political crisis that has hindered development over the years.
“Kenya has faced a long period of political crisis that has impeded development. His Excellency Ruto and Raila, as leaders of the largest parties, recognise the need for a broad platform to collaborate and tackle these long-standing challenges,” Sifuna said.