29/06/2025
Standard media responds to Raila Odinga.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Argue as you may, but it is a fact that the ODM leader has betrayed the cause
We are publishing this in line with the journalistic principle of the right of reply and in the spirit of fairness, which we strongly believe in. That said, we stand by our stories and have a few questions for the ODM party and its leader Raila Odinga.
After the UDA won the election, Raila led several protests where he repeatedly said, “Ruto must go.” At that time, did he not consider the five possible outcomes he now outlines in his response?
Strangely, ODM and Raila seem to have forgotten one very important option that applies in Kenya in the case of total State failure: forming a transitional government as allowed under Section 146 of the Constitution. Why has this constitutional option been ignored? Or do they believe that unless they are in power, the government isn’t legitimate or stable?
Right now, Raila is clearly part of the government. He attends Executive retreats, travels in an official motorcade with outriders, walks the red carpet and enjoys all the benefits of Executive power. Since the formation of this broad-based government, from which both he and ODM benefit, he has become one of the loudest defenders of questionable UDA projects, like the failed Adani deal.
Isn’t it a betrayal that Raila says nothing while the government he now supports continues to break the law, ignore court orders, allow corruption, silence independent media, give shoot-to-kill orders against innocent people, and waste public funds like spending hundreds of millions on dozens of unnecessary presidential advisers? This government seems to have little respect for ordinary Kenyans. It is also abducting and torturing its own citizens.
So, what more proof is needed for Raila and ODM to see that many Kenyans now view them as betrayers?
To make things worse, Raila’s own family members and close friends are being given top government jobs — clear signs of nepotism and cronyism, which our leadership must overcome. It’s time for Kenya to have honest discussions and face our failures. If Raila doesn’t want to be part of this mess, then he should walk away. He should speak out clearly and strongly, not issue weak, confusing statements that only show he is enjoying his place at President Ruto’s table.
He should call for full legal accountability. If he does not, then he is betraying the very values he has said he spent his life fighting for: good name, the rule of law, equality and opportunity for all. These are the same values that Gen Z are now standing up for, which is why they feel so deeply betrayed.
Raila, you can’t have your cake and eat it!
