ODM party leader Raila Odinga has made it clear that President William Ruto was the one who reached out to him first about working together in a broad-based government.
He firmly stated that he did not seek cooperation with Ruto; instead, it was the President who approached him.
Speaking on Tuesday during the funeral of the late Kimani Waiyaki in Muthiga, Kiambu County, Odinga took time to reflect on his long political journey.
He reminded the audience that he has always been a champion for the rights of Kenyans. Throughout his career, he has consistently fought for justice, democracy, and the welfare of the people.
He emphasized that he has never abandoned his mission, no matter the political climate or the challenges he has faced.
“I haven’t switched sides”
Addressing critics who claim that he switched sides, Odinga defended his position. He dismissed accusations that he had joined President Ruto’s camp willingly.
Instead, he insisted that Ruto was the one who initiated talks about working together. He responded to these claims in Kiswahili, saying,
“Many people are making noise here and there, saying, ‘Oh, Raila has gone to Ruto, he has abandoned us…’ But that is not true. I did not go to Ruto. Ruto came to me.”
Odinga went on to explain that his entire political career has been defined by his unwavering fight for the people of Kenya.
He reminded the public that he has always stood for justice and has never hesitated to take to the streets in protest when necessary.
He pointed to the recent demonstrations against the Finance Bill as a perfect example of his dedication to the people’s cause.
During these protests, the opposition raised serious concerns about the rising cost of living, electoral irregularities, corruption, and tribalism in government. Odinga passionately recalled,
“My position has never changed. Since the day I was born until today, I have been fighting for the rights of Kenyans. You all saw last year when we took to the streets. We were out there together, raising our voices, saying the cost of living is too high, demanding that the election servers be opened, and speaking out against corruption and tribalism. Didn’t we say all those things?”
Formation of NADCO
He then spoke about the formation of the NADCO report, a document that emerged from negotiations following the protests.
However, he noted that the government was reluctant to act until young people, especially Gen Z protesters, took to the streets.
According to him, these young demonstrators played a crucial role in forcing change. Unfortunately, he lamented, the government responded by deploying police officers who brutally suppressed the protests, leading to tragic deaths.
Odinga condemned the violence, recalling how the authorities even called in the military to silence the protesters. In the end, however, the government had no choice but to dissolve and restructure.
Despite his long history of fighting for Kenyans, Odinga now finds himself under fire from all sides. Many Kenyans, including some of his strongest supporters, have criticized his recent decision to work with President Ruto.
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They see it as a betrayal, especially considering that the agreement came after the deaths of Gen Z protesters last year.
A section of opposition leaders has strongly condemned the move, arguing that it goes against everything Odinga has fought for.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Raila Odinga remains a central figure in Kenya’s political landscape, and his decisions will continue to spark intense discussions across the nation.
