The political truce between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga is under severe threat, with top opposition leaders now branding the March 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as “dead”. The deal, meant to foster national unity and end politically motivated unrest, is being torn apart by a resurgence of abductions and extrajudicial killings.
On Saturday, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna declared the MoU “meaningless”, citing the brutal murder of social media influencer Albert Ojwang’ as a turning point. Speaking at a funeral attended by ODM deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, Sifuna accused the government of breaching the MoU’s core terms particularly the commitment to end state-linked violence against civilians.
“The MoU is of no use, it is not effective. The only way to breathe life into it is to bring back to life Albert and other youths,” said Sifuna. He further questioned how such killings could occur despite a supposed agreement to cease such acts. He cited recent cases in Elgeyo Marakwet, where two youths were abducted, tortured, and later dumped in Nakuru, as further evidence of betrayal.
Echoing Sifuna’s sentiments, Osotsi told the Senate last week that the ODM party was re-evaluating its engagement with the UDA-led government due to persistent human rights violations. “If we do not get proper answers from the UDA government, we will consider this a breach of the MoU,” he warned.
ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen also raised concern over the killings, distancing the party from such abuses and urging for urgent accountability.
While Raila has maintained a diplomatic tone, pressure is mounting within his ranks. In a recent statement, he condemned Ojwang’s killing and called on the police to take responsibility. “These deaths seriously erode the authority and credibility of the police and the state,” Raila warned, signalling a possible shift in tone from the opposition chief.
With trust collapsing and the promises of reform unmet, the future of the Ruto-Raila truce now hangs in the balance.
