President William Ruto and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga have inked a political cooperation deal, not a coalition one.  It might sound like a small difference, but in operation and implementation, the two are worlds apart.

A political cooperation deal refers to an agreement between political entities-such as parties, coalitions, or individual leaders-to collaborate on specific issues or to achieve mutual objectives.

Unlike formal coalitions or mergers, these deals are often more flexible and may not involve legally binding or long-term commitments.

They can be tailored to address particular challenges or to promote shared interests without necessitating a unified political front.