
Kenya: United Democratic Alliance (UDA) – Press Statement (04.04.2023)



“In the light of the experience of contestation and subsequent conflict after the NARC MoU, the National Accord was entrenched in the Constitution and its provisions safeguarded both in the Constitution and through an Act of Parliament,6 thus avoiding the need to solve potential conflicts over the exercise of power and authority. The salient features of the Accord included, among other factors, the creation of the position of prime minister, which was earmarked for Raila Odinga, and the sharing of executive power between president and prime minister; the sharing of Cabinet and government positions on a 50-50 basis and consultation in all the affairs of government. The Accord further provided mechanisms for the dissolution of the coalition. Of utmost importance was the constitutional protection of the Accord, which insulated it from arbitrary and unilateral interference by the political class” (Denis Kadima and Felix Owuor – ‘KENYA’S DECADE OF EXPERIMENTS WITH POLITICAL PARTY ALLIANCES AND COALITIONS’ 01.06.2014, JAE Volume 13 Number 1 June 2014).
The Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition Party issued their “Deliberation” today on the 4th April 2024. Two days after President William Ruto called for dialogue and Azimio leader Raila Odinga called off the “mother of all demonstrations” which was scheduled for yesterday on the 3rd April 2023.
Now we are here and the deliberation from Azimio is telling. Azimio and Odinga will not settle for another round of Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). Because, deep down he knows that role is symbolic and only keeping busy from the streets. Another BBI will not serve his purpose or the Azimio leadership for that matter.
That’s why Azimio is proposing a new National Accord. Meaning they want a power-sharing agreement and grand coalition government. They want a sub-committee under the cabinet and be de-facto government. It shows that the “cost of living crisis” wasn’t that important and neither all the reforms either.
Odinga and Azimio wants a say and they want power. That’s why they want a new “National Accord” and not another BBI. This isn’t a handshake and creating a small entity to keep Odinga on “hold”. No, he wants to be the Prime Minister and have a say in implementation of government policies.
The agreement from December 2008 said this: “The Parties hereby designate the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the National Accord comprising H.E. Mwai Kibaki, President and Commander-in -Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kenya, Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya and the Eight Ministers who represent the Parties to the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation as the body to oversee the day-today management and implementation of this Agreement” (AGREEMENT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO POST ELECTION ViOlENCE, 16.12.2008).
This is what I thought of when I read the “national accord”. The Azimio leadership wants a coalition government and written agreement (accord) on such. It means they want a piece of the action and be part of the day-to-day business of government. In such a manner, that the accord between Odinga and Ruto gives him an advantage. Because, that’s the brilliant part of “unifying” in this manner. Azimio gets an upper-hand and gets to shake the balance of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, which is already in office. This would be a quagmire and a hectic mess for Ruto to sort out and especially considering the deals he has already signed with allies. Therefore, a National Accord on the basis of grievances is asking very much of the ones in-charge or in-office.
The Azimio leadership is asking for a huge bargain with a National Accord and what that entails. It is like Azimio has been betrayed or the nation is facing the same issues as in 2007 or 2008. That was after massive post-election violence and destruction, which is nothing compared to now. None of wants that or considers that a viable option. Though Azimio has promised huge protests and government officials has spoken of retaliation towards the protesters. Therefore, the dialogue and supposed talks would be good for the nation.
What is striking to me… is that Azimio and Odinga is using the “cost of living crisis” to furthering their own pockets and their own political capital. The citizens and the ones in dire need will not be directly helped by a National Accord. It would only benefit the political elite and the ones in near reach of power. The rest will be left behind and their sacrifices for Azimio will be as fruitful, as the ones on the streets for CORD or NASA. Heck, the ones in streets for the OKOA demos know the drill. Now Odinga is asking to be at the table and get in office.
That’s the gist of things and we have seen it before. A National Accord is to make Odinga a “Prime Minister” and have a say in cabinet. It is to give him a office and prestige. That’s the game-plan now and his selling out Azimio by default. Just like he sold NASA on the altar of BBI. Peace.











Today, Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition have called their scheduled demonstrations for Monday. That happens after the President William Ruto held a Press Conference calling for dialogue. As this is happening on the mere evening ahead of another round demonstrations. It is interesting and we can wonder what’s the bargain here.
We know that Ruto wants to save face, neither the police brutality or the aftermath of demonstrations has served him a favours. It hasn’t strengthen his government or the authorities. Only given Odinga more resolve and reasons to be in the trenches.
Alas, here is the clue and the reason for the fall-back in-line. Odinga has come with several demands. He has fought for the “cost of living crisis” and the “electoral reform”, which the latter has been a steady issue through his career.
Ruto is possibly selling of his Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua just like his predecessor sold him. Instead of showing loyalty or give way to the Deputy. He would step in and offer a bargain to Odinga. That’s what the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) did in 2017.
Now in 2023 we can possibly see the same. This time like Kenyatta. Ruto will give way and create an entity or commission to compose of the ideals of Odinga. Just so Odinga will be busy and “work” on whatever enterprise he see fit. While the Courts might nullify or make the whole process “void” later down the line. That’s what happened with BBI and a second round could be as futile.
However, just like it wasn’t directly futile Kenyatta. It won’t be for Ruto either. His buying piece with few coins of silver and a token promise of “reforms” in return. Odinga feels “special” and gets a “cut of the action”. That’s why he can sleep at night and be “one of them”. It is all it takes and everyone has a “win,win”. Except for the families who has lost people in demonstrations, the ones hurt of skirmishes and the ones who has lost their businesses during the days of protest. They are all scorned and has no return to normal.
When hearing “dialogue”…. I was thinking immediately another BBI. There will be another one of them. This won’t be a “Unity Government” of sorts. No, there are to many hardliners and people who aren’t willing to sell out. Azimio might be cracking and the good vibes are over. Since Odinga like with NASA will just ditch it and leave the other people hanging by thread. That’s what he does when he see his moment to eat.
Ruto gave him a bargain and Odinga took it. The opposition will now pay the price and be offered small pieces of gratitude. They shouldn’t expect loads of goodwill or even favourable offices. Now, these will be created out of thin-air and sound prestigious. Though everyone will know it was done to buy “peace”.
We can just await another “handshake” and “agreement” settling the scores. The Deputy President will feel the pinch of this. Because, he went all out, but he wasn’t the only one. Plenty of the Azimio leaders did too. So, they should feel torn and question it all as well. If not… they are fine with their leader dining with the elites, but the supporters not getting anything from being on the trenches for them. The ones on the streets should wonder what is going on. They took the hardest hit and now their support is for sale, yet again.
Ruto is getting an easy win and Odinga getting some “action”. Peace.






“My people, they stole the election, the whistleblower clearly shows it. Otherwise they’d open the server; what’s the fear? They then corrupted the Supreme Court like they did with the IEBC” – Raila Odinga (31.03.2023).
“Raila Odinga alleges assassination attempt during Nairobi protests. Says his car was shot seven times by anti-riot police. Odinga also condemned attacks on journalists, that left at least four hospitalized” (The Nairobi Report, 31.03.2023).
Right now, in this very moment after the hours and a day after the recent protest. The former 5-time Presidential Candidate and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga is viciously on the barricades. His relentless and his been here all before. We have heard this tales and the stories; seen the issues and the way he uses these times to benefit his own agenda.
Odinga knows the score. He got nothing to lose and all to gain. It is Ruto and the Government who is losing foreign investment, losing tourism dollars and other means for domestic revenue by the constant danger or fear of looting during the demonstrations. Raila knows all of this, and the riots, demos and street battles are beneficial for him.
That’s Ruto can only lose face here. He gets the pinch and the pushback. Not matter what the government had done or didn’t do. It would backfire and it does. The authorities and the law enforcement mismanagement, it’s disregard for civilians demonstrating and the usage of lethal weapons will all be on his watch. Meaning that is all detrimental to his reign and stains his reputation. Just like the times of CORD/OKOA demos and the protest after the first 2017 presidential elections. Odinga has used these means before as CORD/NASA and does it again as Azimio. That’s why this game is a known strategy of his… and everyone should be aware.
Since we all know that and see it for what it is. The men and women on the streets are religiously on the side of Odinga. While they will not get what they are asking for. In the end, they are the pawns on the chess-set of the political elites. That’s who they are… because Odinga would settle for another round of BBI and a galvanized un-official Prime Minister post. Just to live honourably of state wages and call it night with pre-conditioned commission and possible constitutional reforms.
So, as long as the streets are burning, the guns are blazing, the tear-gas are spread, and the shops are closed. Odinga will be giddy and ready. He knows this game and that’s where he partly belongs. Raila has been here before and know the game plan. That’s why his not to stressed about the ramifications or the costs. Only that he adds pressure and makes nuisance for the ones in-charge. He is making life difficult for the Deputy President and Ruto himself.
Baba ran an campaign on vibes and he didn’t come with the evidence which was needed in the petition after the last election. It wasn’t like in 2017 when he had a solid case and it got grounds for a second round. Now, he failed and Azimio thought it was barren land for it’s taking. While he yet again didn’t get the result or the verdict he wanted. That’s why his going back to the streets. Because, in the streets and in the public domain. You can run on word of mouth and speculations. On the streets and among the public… you can speak frank and not carry any weight behind your accusations. However, in the courts and elsewhere, you need more load and more proof of your allegations.
Odinga can act like he got it. He wants to look golden and be the victim. Odinga wants to be the sacrificial lamb, but we all know he does that to not only gain sympathy, but also boost the moral of his supporters. That’s why they are willing to go to the streets and fight for him. Even if it is all based on assumptions and grievances of a lost election. Therefore, Odinga is even opening for a revised BBI agreement, yet again. Hoping he can tag along and be “one” of them again.
However, as long as there is chaos, looting and destruction, Oding will will rise. He endures it and gets strength by it. His supporters and loyal subjects are the ones paying the dear price. While he will live lavish and be secured for life regardless. Odinga got the bag and so does his close associates. It is the others who are paying the price and the costs of his political journey. They are the ones who are in the battlefield and who are feeling the brutality of the police. Odinga is feeling a piece of it and will use it for own personal gains.
Baba is hoping Ruto will relent and give way. Just so he can taste and get a piece of the action. Peace.