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NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) \u2014 Kenya\u2019s ruling and main opposition parties have signed an agreement that will see both sides involved in critical government policy making in what critics have described as an attempt to silence opposition.<\/p>\n
President William Ruto<\/a> and main opposition leader Raila Odinga signed the agreement on Friday as their supporters held a march around the capital, Nairobi.<\/p>\n Odinga, leader of the Orange Democratic Movement, said Friday\u2019s pact was not a \u201cnew political formation\u201d but an agreement that would \u201chelp build the country.\u201d<\/p>\n See for yourself \u2014 The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Ruto<\/a>, who leads the United Democratic Alliance, said leaders had always made \u201cpolitically correct\u201d decisions and not those that are good for the people of Kenya. He hailed Odinga for always making \u201cdifficult decisions\u201d for the interest of other Kenyans.<\/p>\n \u201cSo basically there\u2019s no opposition party in parliament in Kenya?\u201d political analyst Nanjala Nyabola posted on X.<\/p>\n The opposition Wiper Democratic Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka wrote on X that Friday\u2019s pact was \u201cthe biggest betrayal of Kenyans.\u201d<\/p>\n It is the fourth time Odinga \u2013 a five time election loser – has signed a pact with a ruling president<\/a>.<\/p>\n Odinga and Ruto said their pact was not aimed at distributing government positions amongst the two parties, but instead it provided a framework for consultations on issues that affect Kenyans.<\/p>\n Odinga said it would \u201chelp ease tension in our country\u201d and that the opposition had realized that it was not enough to \u201cstand aside and criticize.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe commit to hold regular consultations on pressing issues,\u201d Odinga said.<\/p>\n The opposition in Kenya has been criticized for being quiet as the government increased taxes and cracked down on young anti-government protesters<\/a> in June 2024.<\/p>\n In February, Odinga ran and lost the African Union chairperson<\/a> bid to Djibouti\u2019s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, a move that created uncertainty over Odinga\u2019s political future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nTrusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox<\/h3>\n