Ruto, Raila to co-chair joint parliamentary meeting on Monday
The gathering is aimed at strengthening national unity, advancing joint policies, and reviewing the implementation of the 10-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the two parties in March.
President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga will co-chair a joint parliamentary group meeting on Monday, August 18, bringing together lawmakers from Kenya Kwanza and ODM.
The gathering is aimed at strengthening national unity, advancing joint policies, and reviewing the implementation of the 10-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the two parties in March.
The session will also follow up on the work of a five-member technical committee overseeing the MoU.
“On Monday, we are going to have a broad-based government meeting between lawmakers from ODM and Kenya Kwanza to agree on strong mechanisms to unite the country and push it forward,” Ruto said Thursday in Migori during a meeting with grassroots leaders.
He added, “We (ODM and Kenya Kwanza) agreed to work together to create a country that is for every Kenyan and come up with policies that bring in more income to our nation.”
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed confirmed the meeting, noting that the agenda will focus on common issues that will advance the country’s development.
“We are going to discuss agendas that will take the country forward, including helping communities affected by recent protests,” he said.
The technical committee, chaired by Agnes Zani, also includes Fatuma Ibrahim, Kevin Kiarie, Gabriel Oguda, and Javas Bigambo. A joint secretariat, co-led by executive secretaries from UDA and ODM, has been established to support the committee’s operations.
According to a statement signed by Ruto and Raila, the committee “will be fully funded and facilitated by both UDA and ODM” and is tasked with conducting “inclusive and extensive consultations with members of the public and all relevant stakeholders.”
These consultations will involve government departments, independent commissions, civil society, religious institutions, and the private sector to ensure the MoU reflects “diverse perspectives” and addresses “the needs and aspirations of all Kenyans.”
The committee has already begun its work and will submit progress reports to the two principals every two months. Reports will also be shared quarterly with the joint Kenya Kwanza–ODM Parliamentary Group.
