Azimio leader Raila Odinga has taken a stance against calls for President William Ruto’s resignation, despite growing pressure and internal dissent.
Addressing members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Parliamentary Group on Wednesday, Odinga argued that ousting Ruto would merely allow Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to perpetuate harmful policies. He cautions that removing Ruto without a comprehensive plan could lead to chaos reminiscent of Egypt’s post-Tahrir Square turmoil. Odinga emphasizes the importance of dialogue during crises and the need to prioritize Kenya’s welfare over Ruto’s political fate. This firm position from Odinga has highlighted deepening divisions within the opposition and the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition.
“Ruto goes, then what? Ruto may go then Gachagua takes over [to continue] implementing bad policies. Ruto can also say ‘I am tired, let the [military] generals take over. Then the country begins to go through what Egypt went through after Tahrir Square. ‘Ruto must go’ cannot be an end,” Odinga said.
Tensions were evident during yesterday’s ODM meeting when Kalonzo Musyoka of the Wiper Democratic Movement faced interruptions from disruptive youths while presenting resolutions against joining the government. Notably absent were key ODM figures such as Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya, Edwin Sifuna, and Junet Mohamed, indicating internal disagreements. Former Governor Hassan Joho has expressed strong support for engaging with President Ruto and criticizes Musyoka’s stance. ODM National Chairman John Mbadi has also denounced the perceived dishonesty of their Azimio partners.
“We must identify what works for us as ODM. We are the bigger party in Azimio and we cannot be bullied,” Joho declared.
President William Ruto’s announcement of a six-day dialogue forum starting July 15 has further exacerbated internal disagreements within Azimio. Speaking at the KICC in Nairobi on July 9, Ruto outlined plans for the forum to gather representatives from various sectors to discuss pressing national issues. In a move towards financial prudence, Ruto stated that participants would cover their own attendance expenses. He instructed stakeholders to nominate their representatives by the end of that week, emphasizing that the forum’s goal was to propose a path forward for the nation. However, the forum’s delayed commencement has led to further divisions within the opposition.
The announcement has caused disarray among Azimio la Umoja factions with conflicting views on their participation in the dialogue. This development, coupled with Ruto’s approval of the IEBC (Amendment) Bill, 2024, has intensified the political landscape’s complexity. Meanwhile, Odinga has extended his apologies to journalists and leaders who were forcibly removed by unruly youths during the coalition event in Nairobi yesterday. Mr Odinga’s spokesperson Dennis Onyango has released a statement describing the event as regrettable. He explains that after extensive deliberations on national developments and the opposition’s stance, a group of youths, some familiar to the parties and many unknown, invaded the venue and ejected participants.
Onyango emphasizes that the location had previously hosted significant events during crucial national moments without such unpleasant occurrences. The Political Journalists’ Association of Kenya (PJAK) through its chairman Rawlings Otieno had demanded an apology on behalf of the journalists, some of whom sustained injuries during the chaos.
Why should Samoei remain in…
Why should Samoei remain in office after what he has done to our republic?
Raila is reasoning like a…
Raila is reasoning like a child.
Ruto is going home with everyone including gachagua, Mudavadi and all elected politicians.
Kenyans are going back to the ballot.
It’s because Raila?wants…
It’s because Raila?wants Those that Voted for UDA to Continuing SUFFERring the Consequences of their Choices (without Him INTERFERE-ring).
*In other Words: Mtoto akiLilia wembe? mMpe.?
Kenyans must go Back to the…
Kenyans must go Back to the ballot to elect a new government.
Meg Whitman is going home.
It’s over!
ODM needs to prepare for elections. Ruto& Gachagua are gone.
Raila is clearly not…
Raila is clearly not opposition.
Kenyans are speaking for themselves. Raila is speaking for his stomach
Samoei you best option is to…
Samoei you best option is to overhaul the constitution to make Kenya a first No corruption nation in Africa. Though its tougher on your businesses since things will never be as usual but you’ll go down in history as a legend and more likely to complete your term in office in good harmony.
The option of Opposition wouldn’t fully meet the demands of the Gen Z neither in short term and they’ll combine both of you as enemies of society on enhancing corruption in a different direction.
Samoei think about long term and living in peace with your family here in Kenya.This starts with convening your heart to be contended with what you achieved so far and enough rather than becoming the top 10 richest family in Africa.
Ruto has so much blood on…
Ruto has so much blood on his hands from our sons and daughters and so much stolen money from our pockets that he needs to go; to go to Kamiti Prison Block D Condemned Row!!!
Raila is a government…
Raila is a government apologist not a person in opposition.
APOLOGIST.
We all have to agree that…
We all have to agree that there’s no ? parent or leader in this world.
Most of the said gen’s who are out there agitating are feeding from their own ostensible corrupt parents.
One would wonder why they shouldn’t abstain or rather demonstrate firstly from their corrupt from their own parents.
2010 constitution gave the governors the power to develop and manage their own counties. Lately we have learned that the counties are more corrupt than all the central government combined together. And so yet these so called crusaders are turning a blind eye on their own country financial checks.
Kenyas living standards have drastically improved in the past year. There was no demonstration even when the sole bread – unga- was ksh 250. Which now is selling at half that price. This is one of the reasons why I very informed that the demonstrations is so well sponsored by the same individuals who already stole billions of money in the past regime.
We all know our own children who happens to be called gen z. We already know most of them are lazy make demands from where they don’t produce.
Gen z are more Kenyan than all the other Kenyans.
They have to learn to respect others views.
These are just kids and most of them live in space. They have little clue on what is needed to put up a family together.
They are people who want to live today and tomorrow takes care of itself. I liked where they started but up to this point they are losing it. They are asking to eat steak every day in my house where I cannot afford it! And they don’t want to contribute to get it!!
Only Raila knows. He’s…
Only Raila knows. He’s proved again and again to be an opportunist. That’s why they have stolen five of his presidential wins. They don’t take him seriously. They know he will cow to their demands. After this, he will drown with Ruto.
Gen-Z,DO NOT SURRENDER.IT’S…
Gen-Z,DO NOT SURRENDER.IT’S NOW OR NEVER.I am no one’s spokesperson but majority of Kenyans are behind you.
We’re expecting the Gen Z to…
We’re expecting the Gen Z to be our 3rd liberators of Kenya. This time is in overhaul the constitution to curb rampant corruption and bring looters to the loose hangman
We are now back in…
We are now back in government. Ruto must stay and complete his job and we odm will walk with him
Comrades,
Seriously?
Raila…
Comrades,
Seriously?
Raila please leave the Kenyan politics to Gen Zs.
You’ve failed time and time again.
Like in the streets, new blood has to run the streets.
Rao Afraid of Riggy rule so…
Rao Afraid of Riggy rule so he prefers Ruto stay. Ruto going nowhere. The only way he can have a great time is make friends with Gen Z by doing all good stuff they want and after they fall in love with him they will choose a running mate and sing Ruto tena. His secret to reelection is Gen Z and many things they are asking are actually Kenya things that are good for all. The sooner he knows it’s not about politics but doing the right things and assuming a transformation role the better. He must have a paradigm shift and do things differently and implement stuff that all past presidents failed to do