Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has criticised President William Ruto’s recent pact with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, calling it unconstitutional and a betrayal of millions of Kenyans.
Mr Omtatah likened the deal to a “civilian coup” against the Constitution, arguing that the two leaders are seeking to alter Kenya’s governance for personal gain.
“The pact between President Ruto and Mr Odinga is unlawful and it is like the two leaders have staged a coup against the Constitution of Kenya,” he said on NTV and Nation FM during 'Fixing the Nation' morning show on Monday.
He dismissed the concept of a broad-based government, which he termed unconstitutional.
A fierce critic of Ruto’s administration, Mr Omtatah urged Kenyans, especially the youth, to mobilise against the two leaders in the next election. “I call upon Kenyans to register as voters and remove the two from power in 2027. What we need is not a broad-based government, but fidelity to the law.”
Mr Omtatah also called for the separation of the Treasury from the Ministry of Finance to curb what he sees as excessive presidential control over resources.
Ruto and Raila sign political cooperation deal
“President Ruto has captured the Treasury. Nothing happens without his permission. If he wants to do a budget, it should go to Parliament for approval. But right now, he does whatever he wants,” he claimed, his remarks coming days after Dr Ruto and Mr Odinga signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi.
The agreement, they said, was meant to ease political tensions, promote national unity and address pressing economic and governance challenges. At its heart is a 10-point MoU in which the two leaders have vowed to implement the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco) report, which, among other things, called for the formation of the official opposition leader’s position, as well as curb opulence in government and public office, stop abductions and intensify the fight against graft.
In the agreement, they have also agreed to tackle the high cost of living and youth unemployment. However, Mr Omtatah slammed the two, insisting that Dr Ruto should focus on implementing the Constitution itself.
He said that the government should focus on implementing and amending the Constitution instead of supporting the report. “We must destroy Nadco and say the Constitution, the way it is, must be implemented 100 per cent. Then, if it doesn't work, we move on to amend it,” Mr Omtatah said.
President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga sign an agreement between UDA and ODM in the presence of their party members.
Photo credit: Pool
“You cannot have a big vehicle with a big engine; you have removed the wheels and then you say the car cannot move. Just put back the wheels and see how that thing moves.”
The Nadco report was birthed as a result of the contentious 2022 polls. Dr Ruto and Mr Odinga agreed to form a committee to quell tensions between the opposition and the ruling Kenya Kwanza government after the 2022 General Election. The committee was co-chaired by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah.
In November 2023, the committee released the infamous NADCO report that recommended, among other things, the restructuring of the IEBC, the evaluation of the 2022 electoral process, and the establishment of the offices of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Official Opposition.
Mr Omtatah has assured that the opposition side, led by the people, will remain firm in opposing Dr Ruto and Mr Odinga's move to implement the report.
Mr Odinga has defended his working agreement with Dr Ruto, saying it is meant to ease political tension, foster national unity and address Kenya's most pressing socioeconomic challenges.
“I signed the MoU so that we can move on and focus on development instead of politicking for five years. What is important is that Kenya remains together. Kenyans need to live between now and 2027,” he said in Machakos on Saturday at the burial of Colonel (Rtd) Nguyo Gitahi, the husband of Senator Betty Montet.
“We have pressing needs like the high cost of living and corruption that must be addressed; that is why we signed the 10-point agenda.”
