Kenya’s ruling party joins hands with opposition

Kenyatta (left) with Odinga on stage of during the Orange Democratic Movement National Delegates Conference (ODMNDC) at Nairobi’s Kasarani stadium gymnasium.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said yesterday that his party had joined an opposition coalition ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections in August in a move to clean up politics of “crooks”. The announcement came after Kenyatta’s anointed successor William Ruto, who wants to contest the presidential election, was sacked from the ruling Jubilee party. “I heard one person saying that there is nowhere in the world where a government unites with and supports the opposition,” Kenyatta said, announcing that Jubilee was joining the Azimio la Umoja (Quest for Unity) coalition headed by veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga. “Kenya will be the example. We are mature enough to distinguish between politics and the needs of the people.” The East African powerhouse has traditionally been ruled by presidents from the dominant Kikuyu tribe like Kenyatta or the Kalenjin tribe like Ruto. This year’s contest is shaping up to be a two-horse race between Ruto and Raila, a mainstay of Kenyan politics from the Luo community. Ruto was initially anointed by Kenyatta as his successor but found himself marginalised after arch-foes Kenyatta and Odinga announced a truce in 2018. “We are looking to create a movement that will deliver the country,” Kenyatta said. “Very early in my second term I did make it clear to the Kenyan people that mine was a choice of leadership over politics.” The Azimio la Umoja coalition is expected to pick its preferred presidential candidate in two weeks. However, many observers say Odinga’s nomination is a foregone conclusion. “We are in this to restore the soul and secure the future of our people,” Odinga said yesterday. “If we stand together, I am sure nothing will defeat us.” The 77-year-old – a former political prisoner and prime minister – will then likely head into the polls without his usual fiery anti-establishment image. Odinga is touting his long experience in national leadership. He has also promised to stamp out widespread graft, give a monthly stipend of 6,000 shillings ($52.75) to the unemployed, and unite Kenya’s ethnic groups. Kenyatta said that the coalition “will discuss and pick one strong man to face the crooks on the other side”. With its diverse population and ethnic voting blocs, elections in Kenya have often been marred by violence. More than 1,100 Kenyans lost their lives in 2007 when a disputed election result sparked tribal violence. The rapprochement between Odinga and Kenyatta came about after post-election fighting in 2017 left dozens of people dead. The pair unsuccessfully tried to introduce sweeping constitutional changes as a way to end repeated cycles of election violence. The reforms – popularly known as the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) – proposed expanding the executive and parliament to more evenly divide the spoils of victory. However, it was seen by critics as a way to enable Kenyatta – a two-term president who cannot run for a third – to remain in power by establishing the post of prime minister. The government has appealed a court ruling that rejected the proposals and said Kenyatta could even be sued in a civil court for launching the process.