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Ignore fake memo – not proof of coalition between Kenya’s deputy president William Ruto and politician Musalia Mudavadi

A copy of what appears to be a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by two prominent Kenyan political players has been posted on Facebook. This comes ahead of general elections to be held in the country in August 2022. 

The letter appears to show details of a political coalition between Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi and Kenya’s deputy president William Ruto, who is leader of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).  

On 23 January 2022 Mudavadi accepted his party’s nomination for the presidency. Ruto and Mudavadi have reportedly held meetings and announced a coalition, but any details have not been made public.  

According to the letter, Ruto and the UDA will pay Mudavadi KSh5 billion as finance capital for upcoming joint-UDA-and-ANC campaigns in western Kenya.

Furthermore, the UDA agrees to not field any candidates for other positions in Western Kenya counties and ANC agrees to the same in the Rift Valley, Central and Northeastern Kenya regions.

Mudavadi is also obligated to publicly endorse Ruto’s presidential bid and political partnerships between the two parties. 

But is the MOU legit? We checked.

MOU_Fake

Memo is ‘fake fake’

Africa Check reached out to the UDA to ask if the memo was legitimate. 

Wanjohi Githae, the party’s director of communication, told us in a text message that it was “fake fake”.

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