A Coalition or Is Kenya’s Odinga Ditching the Opposition?

Orange Democratic Movement leader, Raila Odinga, has reportedly signalled the formation of a "bigger political movement" with the ruling party that he described as unstoppable in the run-up to next year's general election. Odinga's party has been enjoying a cordial working relationship with President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee since their March 9, 2018 deal. Since the famous handshake between Odinga and Kenyatta, there has been an implosion in the Jubilee Party which was worsened by the Building Bridges Initiative. Deputy President William Ruto has never hidden his distrust for the BBI, an outcome of the March 2018 peace pact between the president and Odinga and his long-time opposition foe. Ruto's supporters reportedly fear the reconciliation signals Kenyatta's plan to back out of a power-sharing and succession pact, under which he would back Ruto for president at the 2022 general elections after serving two terms.