ODM leader Raila Odinga has revealed that the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) during the height of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests was the key factor that pushed him into a political truce with President William Ruto.
Speaking during ODM’s Parliamentary Group meeting on Monday, September 22, Raila explained that the country was on the verge of collapse when the military was deployed onto the streets. He noted that while the soldiers initially appeared civil, Kenya was dangerously close to military rule.
“After so many days of demonstration, you saw that the military was on the streets. They were fairly civil to the citizens at the time, but that was because they had not been given instructions. When the military is given instructions, they execute. They almost executed,” Raila stated.
He stressed that his decision to reach a consensus with Ruto was meant to preserve peace and prevent Kenya from sliding into chaos. According to the ODM boss, it was better to maintain a civil country where leadership is determined through the ballot, rather than through the bullet.
Raila compared the situation to the 2007 elections, when he also had to let go for the sake of national peace. He noted that many Kenyans did not fully understand how close the country came to instability in 2024.
The truce, which began informally, was formalized in March 2025 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Raila and Ruto. The agreement included the full implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, tackling youth unemployment, enforcing the two-thirds gender rule, and enhancing inclusivity in public appointments regardless of religion or political affiliation.
By choosing dialogue over confrontation, Raila said the leaders were able to “steady the ship of the Kenyan nation,” ensuring stability at a time of extreme turbulence.
