ODM leader Raila Odinga’s claim that former President Uhuru Kenyatta advised the opposition leader to meet with President William Ruto to ease tensions over Kenya’s Kwanzaa government has sparked criticism.
Some politicians have criticised Raila’s claims as an expedient attempt to cover up his political misdeeds and stave off a wave of political backlash against his actions.
They claim that he was trying to hang on to Uhuru’s political influence to salvage his dwindling political fortunes after jumping ship in stormy seas.
They say ODM was trying to appease millions of voters who supported Raila’s presidential bid and now denounce him as a traitor.
Former Nakuru governor Lee Kinyanjui warned that Uhuru would only insist on well-organised talks.
“I am not speaking for Uhuru Kenyatta but it would be a huge concern if the country descended into anarchy. But power-sharing without a commitment to long-term solutions to the problems posed by Gen Z would be suicidal.”
Former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri said Raila used the former president’s name to gain the trust of Mount Kenya residents, who have accused him of betraying their cause.
Ngunjiri said Raila has repeatedly given conflicting accounts of what happened before he agreed to work with President Ruto, exposing him as an unreliable leader.
“He initially said that the four ODM leaders who held ministerial posts had gone to work for the government on their own. He told us that President Ruto had begged him to help stabilise the country following the challenges caused by the protesters, but he ended up just making up another story,” Ngunjiri said.
Political analyst Andrew Nyabut said while he could not fully vouch for Raila’s claims, Uhuru was well aware of events that pose a threat to the stability of the country and would not allow it to be ruined.
“We all knew the country was under tension following the Gen Z protests that rocked major cities and trade centres across 40 counties. Former President Uhuru has the network to effectively brief the country on the current situation and spark the search for solutions to restore stability,” Nyabuto said.
Nyavut added that while Raila’s claims could not be verified, they “put Uhuru at the centre of the country’s power structure, making him key to stabilising the country”.
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Political analysts added that Uhuru remains the dominant political force and that is why many leaders, including the DP’s Ligathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamwalwa, are aligning themselves with him.
“Raila also recognises that he needs Uhuru to further his political cause and even rehabilitate his image,” Nyabuto added.
Some have argued that Uhuru has become a dominant political force in Mount Kenya over the past few months, giving the appearance that many political actors undoubtedly have his backing.
“Raila is engaging in high level political shady dealings to charm the hearts and souls of Mount Kenya voters whom he betrayed. He is trying to use Uhuru’s name to make himself clean but unfortunately he is way off the mark with UDA and Azimio. No one will trust him with his duplicity,” said political commentator Kabwe Matenge.
His lawyer, Hari Gakinya, said Raila had engaged in deception by using Uhuru’s name “to continue to benefit from his dealings with Ruto while at the same time remaining relevant on the national political stage. He cannot have his own pie to eat.”
According to him, the ODM leader was trying to improve his image so that he could walk away from his political arrangement with Ruto at a convenient time and contest for the presidency if he fails in his bid for the AUC chairmanship.
But Hari points out that a retired president is required by law to play an advisory and consultative role to the Kenyan government and people.
“I know the former president will be concerned if the country descends into anarchy because he plays a key role in conflict resolution in other parts of Africa. But he cannot take a conflict resolution role in Kenya lightly and recklessly, which could entrench a government that does not have the trust of the people,” he argues.
Political activist Njihere Muchiri claims that before ODM leaders were appointed to the cabinet, Senator Oburu Oginga and Member of Parliament Peter Karuma had already announced to Kenyans that ODM would be in government.
“So, for Raila to tell us that he was prompted by Uhuru to make a political deal with President Ruto, even though his aides had already made the deal public for all Kenyans to see, is nothing but cheap propaganda,” he said.
