President William Ruto and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga have inked a political cooperation deal, not a coalition one.
It might sound like a small difference, but in operation and implementation, the two are worlds apart.
A political cooperation deal refers to an agreement between political entities—such as parties, coalitions, or individual leaders—to collaborate on specific issues or to achieve mutual objectives.
Unlike formal coalitions or mergers, these deals are often more flexible and may not involve legally binding or long-term commitments. They can be tailored to address particular challenges or to promote shared interests without necessitating a unified political front.
This is what the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and ODM signed. To clarify, the agreement was signed between UDA and ODM, not with the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
The two parties agreed to a 10-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering national unity and addressing governance issues. The agreement includes commitments to fully implement the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, ensure inclusivity in budgetary allocations and public appointments, and safeguard the principles of devolution.
It also focuses on economic investments targeting the youth, promoting leadership integrity, and curbing opulent lifestyles among public officials.
Further provisions of the MoU advocate for the protection of citizens' rights to peaceful assembly, compensation for victims of rights violations, and a comprehensive audit of national debt utilisation.
The deal also outlines a collective effort to combat corruption, eliminate the waste of public resources, and uphold the sovereignty of the people by preventing abductions. Additionally, it calls for a steadfast commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law, and press freedom.
“The MoU we have signed today does not define the formation of a political coalition between ODM and UDA,” Raila said.
He added, “However, its successful implementation could form the basis for steps towards establishing a broadly constructive formation for a stable country in the future.”
The political cooperation deal is similar to that signed in the 2018 handshake between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
This deal functions as a "working political framework," which is not a standard legal designation in Kenyan political terminology. It generally refers to informal or formal arrangements between political parties or leaders to collaborate on specific issues or support each other in legislative processes without forming a formal coalition or merging into a single party.
A coalition, on the other hand, is an alliance of two or more political parties formed to pursue a common goal, often to enhance their chances in elections or strengthen their legislative influence.
In Kenya, coalitions can be established either before or after elections. Each party within a coalition retains its legal identity and operates independently, even while collaborating on agreed objectives.
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