Ruto-Raila Pact: A Marriage of Survival, Not of Vision

 

By Irungu Nayakera

In the shifting sands of Kenya’s political terrain, a new alliance has emerged — one that unites President William Ruto and opposition stalwart Raila Odinga. Publicly framed as a handshake for stability and unity, the partnership is drawing heavy scrutiny from critics and a disillusioned populace, especially Kenya’s restless youth.

What’s becoming increasingly clear is that the Raila-Ruto pact is not grounded in ideology, shared policy vision, or a commitment to national renewal. Instead, analysts and citizens alike are pointing to a far less noble foundation: mutual interest, political self-preservation, and resistance to a rising generation that is demanding real change.

The Hidden Currency: Deals, Not Dreams

One of the most glaring indicators of what fuels this alliance is the quiet return of controversial billionaire Gautam Adani into Kenya’s economic fold. After years of scrutiny and pushback, the Indian business magnate is back — reportedly with fresh access to state-backed infrastructure and energy contracts.

“The re-emergence of Adani tells you everything,” says political analyst Njeri Gichohi. “This alliance is about money. About cutting deals. It’s a reunion of old guards ensuring that economic levers stay in friendly hands.”

Insiders in government corridors whisper of backroom pacts — business alignments lubricated by shared interests between the two camps. For many, it recalls the worst instincts of Kenya’s post-independence elite: transactional politics over transformative leadership.

A Common Grudge: The Mountain Question

Both Ruto and Raila have long struggled with the political assertiveness of the Mount Kenya region. But now, united under a banner of mutual convenience, they appear to be subtly waging a cold war against it.

Their rhetoric has shifted. Mount Kenya is no longer a "crucial bloc" — it is "entitled," "spoiled," even "problematic." Observers argue that this shared disdain stems from the region’s historical kingmaker status and its reluctance to rubber-stamp the Raila-Ruto merger.

“This is the one region that has refused to kneel,” says a former Jubilee strategist. “And so now, it’s being sidelined — not for strategy, but revenge.”

Silencing the Future: Gen Z and the Waning Patience

The alliance’s most deafening failure lies in its reaction — or lack thereof — to Kenya’s youth uprising. From street protests to digital activism under the #OccupyParliament and #RejectFinanceBill banners, Gen Z has become the conscience of a wounded nation.

Yet, both Raila and Ruto have responded with distance, derision, or outright silence.

“There is a generational shift happening,” says youth activist Zubeida Hassan. “And they’re blind to it. They see us as a threat, not a voice. Their alliance isn't against the system — it is the system.”

What has followed is a powerful counter-narrative from the ground: WANTAM — a viral slogan and rallying cry, short for "We Are Not Them Anymore." It is a demand for generational leadership change and a direct rejection of both Raila and Ruto.

Two Veterans, One Exit Door?

As the 2027 elections loom, the Raila-Ruto alliance appears increasingly detached from Kenya’s social reality. What was once being sold as a national unity pact is now widely seen as a cynical power-sharing deal by two men refusing to exit the stage.

“They’re not collaborating for Kenya,” says constitutional lawyer Mutuma Wekesa. “They’re collaborating to stay politically alive.”

The tragedy, observers say, is not just in the alliance itself — but in what it reveals: a political class that has refused to evolve, even as the country outgrows it.