Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has dismissed calls to extend the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), insisting the agreement will expire as scheduled on March 7, 2026.
Speaking during a media interview, Sifuna said anyone interested in extending the agreement must seek direct approval from ODM leader Raila Odinga.
“Anybody who wants to extend this MoU must go to Bondo and get Baba’s signature,” Sifuna said.
He emphasized that no other party official has the authority to extend or alter the agreement, noting that the deal was deliberately structured without an extension clause.
“No other signature can be appended to extend this MoU because Baba, in his wisdom, did not ask for a provision for extension of the MoU. Why didn’t he insist that we must provide for extension?”
According to Sifuna, the agreement, signed on March 7, 2025, was meant to address specific governance challenges within a fixed timeframe.
He explained that both parties intended to use the period to implement key reforms and later reassess their political direction ahead of the next General Election.
The cooperation framework between President William Ruto’s UDA and ODM outlined a 10-point agenda focused on national governance and reform.
Key priorities included protecting devolution, safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of Kenyans, and addressing cases of abductions and killings.
The agreement also provided a roadmap for cooperation and national dialogue, with March 7, 2026 set as the deadline for implementation and submission of a final progress report.
Meanwhile, the committee overseeing the implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report has expressed confidence it will deliver its report on time.
Committee chairperson Agnes Zani assured Kenyans that the process remains on track and urged the public to maintain confidence.
At the same time, ODM leader Oburu Odinga dismissed claims that the agreement would automatically collapse after the deadline. He clarified that the date marks a moment for evaluation rather than the immediate end of cooperation.
The future of the agreement now remains uncertain as the deadline approaches, with both parties expected to review progress and determine their next political steps.
