National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. Photo/The Standard
By Wanderi Kamau
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula were notably absent during the signing of a political agreement between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Friday, March 7, 2025
This major political development is expected to influence Kenya’s 2027 General Election.
Their absence sparked speculation about their stance on the new cooperation between Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Read also: UDA-ODM pact leaves Ruto’s Mt Kenya allies in political cold
The agreement, which aims to ease political tensions and promote national unity, revolves around a 10-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), including the implementation of recommendations from the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco). These proposals include creating a Prime Minister’s position, reducing government expenditure, addressing enforced disappearances, and intensifying the fight against corruption.
Mudavadi’s ANC merged with UDA, but missed the event
Since Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress (ANC) merged with UDA in January 2025, his absence from the signing ceremony was unexpected. However, his communications officer, Jacob Ngetich, clarified that the Prime Cabinet Secretary had been assigned official duties by President Ruto.
“The Prime Cabinet Secretary was at the KICC but was then sent on an assignment by the President. Earlier in the day, he attended a Kenya Kwanza parliamentary group meeting before heading to the funeral of Principal Secretary Aurelia Rono’s father in Bomet County,” Mr. Ngetich explained.
At the funeral, Mudavadi expressed his support for the Ruto-Odinga agreement, stating, “We must support Ruto to the hilt. His agenda is to unite Kenya, and his decision to work with ODM is driven by his concern for the country’s progress.” He reiterated that ANC had already merged with UDA, and he was fully committed to the party and the President’s leadership.
Read more: Mulembe MPs defend Wetang’ula against ‘unwarranted attacks’
Later, Ngetich revealed that Mudavadi was also assigned to deliver a school bus to Friends Boys School, Lugusi, in Kakamega County, as part of a government thanksgiving event.
Wetang’ula engaged in Chebukati’s burial plans
Wetang’ula, whose Ford Kenya party remains independent from UDA, was also absent from the signing. Ford Kenya Secretary General John Chikati explained that the Speaker was preoccupied with burial preparations for former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati in Kitale.
“The Speaker traveled to assist in organizing Chebukati’s state burial. His absence was not intentional but due to urgent commitments,” Chikati stated. He reaffirmed Ford Kenya’s position within the Kenya Kwanza coalition and clarified that ODM’s cooperation with UDA does not mean it has officially joined the coalition.
Wetang’ula highlights development projects
Meanwhile, Wetang’ula took to social media to share his engagements elsewhere. “This afternoon, I commissioned an eight-classroom storey building at Daraja Mungu Comprehensive School in Kibingei Ward, at the invitation of Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa,” he posted.
He emphasized the importance of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) in supporting education and infrastructure. “This project, funded by the NG-CDF, highlights the need to institutionalize the fund within the Constitution to ensure continued service delivery,” he stated.
Despite their absence, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the ruling coalition, signaling that the political landscape remains dynamic as the country heads toward the next election.
