President William Ruto and Raila Odinga during the signing of the Kenya Kwanza-ODM Joint Framework, KICC, Nairobi, March 7, 2025. /PCS
President William Ruto has defended his political alliance with opposition chief Raila Odinga saying it was aimed at uniting Kenyans and accelerating the pace of development across the country.
Ruto said they decided to unite the country in order to enhance development momentum.
“To enhance the momentum of development in this country, it's necessary that we harness the unity of our nation, the talents we have and the political goodwill available for us to increase the momentum of development,“ Ruto said.
The President said political competition was good because it produces winners and losers but noted that unity was better because it gives a win-win outcome that is ideal for national development.
“Nobody loses in unity and unity is strength because in unity we have winners and winners and winners,” Ruto said.
He was speaking at the AIC Fellowship Annex in Eldoret where he attended Sunday service.
He was accampanied by governors Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu) and Ken Lusaka (Bungoma) and MPs Oscar Sudi of Kapsaret and host MP Julius Rutto of Kesses.
The President asked Kenyans not to think about the new deal with Raila on the basis of what was in it for politicians and leaders but rather, what was in it for the benefit of the country.
“We should not think about the interests of a political party or particular leaders but collective gain for our nation. That's what is important and that's what should be our focus,” he said.
Ruto said he was grateful to all the leaders who had accepted the call to unite, noting that the unity was not for the purpose of sharing positions or planning for the next elections.
“We are uniting Kenya because of planning for the transformation of the country so that we achieve quick development and ensure services get to all Kenyans."
During the signing of the deal at the KICC, Ruto said "no single leader, party or sector can transform Kenya on its own; it takes our collective effort".
"That is why we are discarding the old superficial party rivalries, embracing a unifying vision, that will forge a new path for our country. This new chapter will set Kenya on the sustained road of stability, inclusivity and shared prosperity."
In Eldoret, the President said his interest was to see quick economic growth with a smooth rollout of programmes like SHA and affordable housing to benefit all Kenyans and not leaders.
He called on Kenyans to unite and work together with focus on the interests of Kenyans.
“If all leaders focus on their interets then who will focus on the interests of the people? Let's all unite and work together to develop our nation,” Ruto said.
He assured Kenyans that no region would be sidelined or left behind and that he would ensure they all move foward together.
The President said he was happy that half way in his first term, the government had succeeded to roll out most of its development programmes.
“We thank God for his providence because our agriculture is doing well, our economy is doing better, we have rolled out all our programmes and Kenya is going to change,” Ruto said.
