The bitter Mau Forest dispute that shattered first Raila, Ruto alliance
The decision to support the restoration of the Mau Forest cost Raila Odinga crucial support in the Rift Valley during the 2013 General Election...
✨ Key Highlights
The political alliance between Raila Odinga and William Ruto began to unravel shortly after the formation of the Grand Coalition Government following the disputed 2007 General Election. Once formidable allies who forged a strong working relationship in 2005, their disagreements steadily escalated.
- Breakup of political alliance between then Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Cabinet Minister William Ruto
- Key event that soured relationship: the aftermath of the disputed 2007 General Election and the establishment of the compromise Grand Coalition Government
- The dispute involved the "bitter Mau Forest dispute" and resulted in a deteriorated relationship between the two politicians
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Mau Forest Dispute Cited as Origin of Rift in Raila-Ruto Political Alliance - October 2025
The political alliance between Raila Odinga and William Ruto is reported to have unraveled shortly after the formation of the Grand Coalition Government following the disputed 2007 General Election. The Mau Forest dispute is highlighted as a primary factor that caused a significant rift between the two former allies. Though they had forged a strong working relationship in 2005, their disagreements steadily escalated. More recently, People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua revealed that before his death on October 15, Odinga had privately expressed discomfort with President Ruto’s administration and accused Ruto of disrespecting Odinga's legacy during the mourning period.
