Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has defended his recent cooperation with President William Ruto, asserting that it was the Head of State who sought him out to help stabilize the country. Speaking during a funeral service in Kiambu County on Tuesday, Raila dismissed criticism that he had abandoned his political base, stating that his primary concern was addressing the struggles Kenyans are facing.
“Some people are making noise, claiming that I have abandoned them and joined Ruto. But I did not go to Ruto Ruto came to me,” Raila stated, adding that his lifelong fight for Kenyans’ rights remains unchanged.
The ODM leader has faced backlash from a section of Kenyans who feel his cooperation with Ruto amounts to betrayal, especially after he lost the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid. However, Raila maintained that his decision was motivated by the need to resolve pressing national issues, including the controversial Social Health Authority (SHA) and the heavy taxation burden, particularly the Housing Levy.
“Last year, we raised issues that needed to be addressed, but they can’t be solved unless leaders come together and talk,” Raila explained. “That is why, when Ruto showed some concern, he came to me, and I said, ‘Let’s sit down and resolve the 10 issues we agreed on.’ We have now given them time to implement these resolutions.”
Raila assured the public that President Ruto had committed to addressing these concerns, stating, “We have given them a full cycle to implement the agreed solutions.”
Dismissing allegations that his deal with Ruto was politically motivated ahead of the 2027 elections, Raila reiterated that Kenyans would ultimately decide their leadership. “Before then, we don’t want our people to continue suffering. We must first resolve the issue of SHA, which is not working, and the burden of heavy taxes like the housing levy,” he said.
Defending his decision to engage with the government, Raila emphasized that real change could only be achieved through active participation. “You can’t solve problems by sitting back. You need to place the right people in key positions to ensure solutions are found,” he stated. “We can’t stand aside while the country struggles we must work together to fix these issues.”
