NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga have formally announced the formation of a five-member committee tasked with steering the implementation of their 10-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in what appears to be a bold step toward fostering national unity and political stability.
The high-level committee, chaired by longtime Odinga ally and former nominated Senator Agnes Zani, will oversee the rollout of key reforms agreed upon by Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) under a landmark pact signed on March 7, 2025.
Other members of the team include former National Cohesion and Integration Commissioner Fatuma Ibrahim, policy analyst Kevin Kiarie, political commentator Gabriel Oguda, and constitutional lawyer Javas Bigambo.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the two leaders said the committee will lead inclusive and extensive public consultations beginning August 18, engaging key stakeholders such as government departments, civil society, independent institutions, religious leaders, and the private sector.
“The committee will undertake its work under the guidance of the Principals and submit bi-monthly progress reports,” the statement read, referring to Ruto and Odinga. “A final report will be published on March 7, 2026, to mark the one-year anniversary of the MoU.”
The 10-point agenda includes the full implementation of the NADCO report, promoting inclusivity in governance, strengthening devolution, addressing youth empowerment, and tackling issues around national debt, corruption, and public sector efficiency.
Also featured in the agreement is a commitment to uphold freedom of assembly, ensure compensation for victims of protests, and defend the sovereignty of the people, the rule of law, and constitutionalism.
A joint secretariat, co-led by executive secretaries from UDA and ODM, has also been constituted to support the committee’s work, with both parties pledging full financial and logistical backing.
The formation of the committee is a critical milestone in the post-protest political landscape, following months of bipartisan dialogue that culminated in the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) process.
The March MoU, signed by the two dominant political forces, was widely viewed as a ceasefire in Kenya’s long-running cycle of disputed elections, street protests, and polarised politics.
The first report from the committee is expected by October, with the first joint parliamentary group sitting—bringing together MPs from both UDA and ODM—slated for August 18, 2025.
