Suba South Member of Parliament Caroli Omondi has stated that former President Uhuru Kenyatta advised ex-Prime Minister Raila Odinga to engage in discussions with President William Samoei Ruto subsequent to the nationwide Gen Z demonstrations.
Carol Omondi explained that this initiative was intended to bring stability to the administration following the breach of Parliament by demonstrators during the anti-government protests.
In a video recording viewed by The Star, Caroli asserted that Raila did not proactively initiate contact with Ruto, but rather responded to a request from Uhuru, who was said to be abroad at that moment.
The Gen Z protesters breached Parliament, and in any other political framework, such an event would have resulted in governmental collapse,” Caroli remarked.
Raila did not extend the invitation himself; rather, it was former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who was outside the nation at the time, who contacted Raila and requested that he meet with President Ruto to determine how to stabilize the government, as no one could predict the consequences had the administration failed during that critical period.
Gen Z activists nationwide organized demonstrations, intensifying political tensions.
The inclusive government was formally established on March 7, 2025, when President Ruto and opposition figure Raila signed a memorandum of understanding at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
This agreement signaled the commencement of a coalition between the United Democratic Alliance and the Orange Democratic Movement, intended to tackle national issues including debt, corruption, and political instability.
Prior to this development, on July 11, 2024, President Ruto had dismissed nearly his entire cabinet in response to mass demonstrations against proposed tax increases and governmental corruption. This action was part of endeavors to establish a more representative government.
The creation of the unity government substantially transformed Kenya’s political environment, eroding the distinction between opposition and ruling parties after numerous Raila supporters were assigned to significant cabinet roles.
John Mbadi was appointed Treasury Cabinet Secretary; former ODM deputy party leader Hassan Joho assumed responsibility for the Mining portfolio, while Opiyo Wandayi and Wycliffe Oparanya were assigned the Energy and MSMEs positions, respectively.
Commitments outlined in the signed 10-point agenda included the complete implementation of the NADCO Report, safeguarding of devolution, youth empowerment, and enhancement of leadership integrity.
The agreement also pledged to maintain the right to peaceful assembly, improve debt management, combat corruption, and reduce wastage of public resources while advancing constitutionalism and the rule of law.
Two years following the agreement, the administration reports that multiple commitments under the 10-point agenda have started to materialize, with programs focusing on inclusion, youth empowerment, devolution, public accountability, and economic recovery.