Raila & Ruto Have Declared War: Omtatah On 'Handshake' Deal

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has slammed the move by President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to enter a political cooperation agreement, with the former moving on to pledge support for the full implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report.

The NADCO report emerged as a response to the disputed 2022 elections. Following the polls, Ruto and Raila agreed to establish a committee aimed at easing tensions between the opposition and the ruling Kenya Kwanza government. This committee was co-chaired by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah.

In November 2023, the committee released the controversial NADCO report, which proposed key changes, including restructuring the IEBC, reviewing the 2022 electoral process, and creating the offices of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Official Opposition.

President William Ruto (left) and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the KICC during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Friday, March 7, 2025. /PCS

Speaking at the People's Dialogue Festival at Uhuru Park on Friday, March 7, Omtatah cautioned that implementing the NADCO report could jeopardize the country's future.

According to the Senator, the government should focus on implementing and mending the Constitution instead of supporting the report, calling for it to be completely disbanded.

"We must destroy NADCO and say the Constitution, the way it is, must be implemented one hundred percent. Then, if it doesn't work, we move on to amend it," he said.

Adding, "You cannot have a big vehicle with a big engine; then you have removed the wheels, and then you say that the car cannot move. Just put back the wheels and see how that thing moves."

Omtatah appealed to Kenyans to oppose anyone still in favour of the NADCO report as he assured that the people-led opposition side would continue to oppose Ruto and Odinga's move to implement the report, claiming that the duo have declared war on the future of Kenya.

"I am requesting you as the people, anyone supporting the NADCO report, must be destroyed from public life and go back to their private life," he said.

"Raila Odinga and William Ruto have declared war on the future of this country; they want to take us to the past, and we say we are not going back to the past; we are going forward, and we are ready to take them on."

In the meantime, the political cooperation agreement continues to elicit mixed reactions across the country. At the same time, Francis Atwoli, the Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), supported the MoU, stating that it will contribute to a more stable political environment.

“As COTU, we strongly believe that Kenya’s development and prosperity have been hindered by prolonged politicking, which negatively impacts job creation and the improvement of working conditions for Kenyan workers,” Atwoli stated.

"The signing of this MoU is, therefore, a welcome move that promises a more stable political environment, one that will particularly benefit Kenyan workers, women, and children who often bear the brunt of economic downturns caused by political turmoil."

He noted that the unity and stability of Kenya are more important than any individual political ambitions. "It is imperative to recognize that the unity and stability of Kenya transcend any individual political ambitions."

"What the country needs is not perpetual political antagonism but a governance framework that prioritizes stability, economic growth, and inclusive development," he added.