Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has defended the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between ODM and UDA, insisting it was not a political pact but a framework aimed at addressing key national challenges.
“In the agreement we signed, many assume the MOU was a pact between ODM and UDA. In reality, it was a framework intended to address the broader challenges facing the country,” Sifuna said.
He explained that among its key provisions was a commitment to tackle youth unemployment, which remains one of Kenya’s most pressing crises. The agreement also included measures to address misconduct by law enforcement officers and safeguards to protect and advance the livelihoods of young people.
“It included measures to address misconduct by law enforcement officers, as well as safeguards aimed at protecting and advancing the livelihoods of young people,” he added.
The MOU was signed in the wake of months of heightened political tensions, including anti-government protests largely driven by young people angered by the high cost of living, tax hikes and alleged police brutality. The unrest prompted bipartisan talks under the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO), co-chaired by representatives from both the Kenya Kwanza administration and the opposition.
The NADCO report proposed wide-ranging reforms, including the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), measures to strengthen oversight institutions and interventions to cushion Kenyans from economic hardship. The MOU between ODM and UDA was framed as part of efforts to implement some of these proposals and restore political stability.
However, the agreement sparked controversy within ODM, with critics accusing party leaders of entering into a covert arrangement with President William Ruto’s administration. Some opposition figures argued that the deal blurred the lines between government and opposition at a time when many Kenyans were demanding accountability.
Sifuna has been among those pushing back against that narrative, maintaining that the agreement was anchored on reforms rather than power-sharing.
“The focus should be on whether the issues we identified — youth unemployment and misconduct by security agencies — are being addressed,” he said.
As political realignments continue to unfold, the MOU remains a focal point of debate, particularly among young Kenyans who have demanded tangible change beyond political statements.
