Lobby group MDD endorses Ruto-Raila pact, rallies Kenyans to ‘judge in 2027’

Lobby group Movement for Defence of Democracy (MDD) has declared its full backing for the ongoing political rapprochement between ODM party leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto — urging Kenyans to give the new working relationship “time to bear fruit.”

In a press statement released on Saturday after a briefing held at Uhuru Park — the same grounds where Odinga and Ruto struck a surprise political truce months ago — the MDD leadership said they were satisfied with the implementation of the 10-point agenda born out of that pact.

“We fully support the resolution by the ODM Party through its Central Management Committee that the party supports the position of the party leader Raila Odinga to work with the Kenya Kwanza Administration in the broad-based framework,” said the group in a joint statement signed by leaders Victor Marende, Fred Makajos, John Mukoya, Fidel Castro and Rachael Tabitha.

The youth leaders hailed President Ruto’s newly announced framework to compensate victims of past political protests, calling it a “serious step to having closure to the brutality that had been committed by this and past regimes”.

“We appeal to the President and Raila to consider forming a committee to deal with these compensations urgently and most importantly consider the MDD to assist in identification of the victims who are mostly our comrades,” the statement read.

They also lauded the government’s recent reduction in university tuition fees, saying it would help more young Kenyans stay in school.

On county funding, the lobby group acknowledged that devolved units were now receiving monies on time, noting the increment of equitable revenue share from Ksh.380 billion to Ksh.415 billion — but appealed for it to be pushed “to at least Ksh.450 billion in the next financial year.”

The group further congratulated President Ruto for successfully co-securing the PAMOJA 2027 AFCON bid and hosting the current CHAN tournament, saying it showed the administration’s support for youth.

They rallied Kenyans to turn up at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday to cheer Harambee Stars in their anticipated showdown against Zambia.

Turning their guns on critics unhappy with the ODM-Kenya Kwanza detente, the youth leaders echoed Odinga’s now-famous call issued in Homa Bay: “Give us time and judge us in 2027.”

“After a very difficult start, characterized by much political negativity, things are beginning to look up. A number of the President's programs are beginning to yield fruits. Hope is returning to the land. Nation building has never been like instant coffee that you brew and drink at the same time; it takes time. Let us give the government time. Let us embrace hope rather than plant hopelessness,” the statement noted.