A wake-up call for Raila as he is booed and heckled in Kisii

Raila Odinga and President William Ruto when they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ODM and UDA. PHOTO/The Presidency.

By PATRICK MAYOYO

newshub@eyewitness.africa

The recent reception of ODM leader Raila Odinga at Gusii Stadium in Kisii County, where he faced boos, heckles, and a notable walkout during his address, marks a significant inflection point in his political career.

This incident, occurring just days after Raila signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with President William Ruto, serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the veteran politician.

The backlash he experienced underscores a deepening fracture within his traditional support base, highlighting a critical political dilemma that could shape his legacy and influence in Kenyan politics.

Raila’s MoU with President Ruto, which formalises a partnership between the ODM and UDA parties, has stirred considerable unrest among his core supporters.

The Kisii County incident, where Raila garnered 65 per cent of the vote in 2022 against Ruto’s 33 per cent, illustrates the depth of his political roots in the region.

For Raila to be greeted with chants of “Raila must go!” and “Ruto must go!” followed by a sizable walkout during his speech, is a reflection of how divisive this political alignment has become.

The negative reaction to the MoU suggests that for some of Raila’s loyalists, aligning with his former political rival, Ruto, is seen as a betrayal of the principles and ideals he has long championed.

This hostile reception serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the disillusionment among a portion of his support base. It reveals the potential cost of political pragmatism when it clashes with a leader’s identity and historical narrative.

Raila Odinga when he signed a handshake with retired President Uhuru Kenyatta. PHOTO/UGC.

For a politician like Raila, who has prided himself on his advocacy for democracy and the fight against political hegemony, the perception of betrayal is particularly potent.

His long-standing image as an anti-establishment figure, who has fought for systemic change, is now under scrutiny. Critics question whether his latest political manoeuvre—a deal with President Ruto—compromises his legacy as a champion of democratic reforms.

In examining this situation from a broader political perspective, it is clear that Raila faces a delicate balancing act. On one hand, the MoU with Ruto offers a potential avenue for national unity and political stability, aligning both parties in the pursuit of shared goals such as tackling corruption, youth unemployment, and economic development.

These initiatives, if implemented successfully, could provide tangible benefits for ordinary Kenyans, which may be seen as a positive contribution to national governance.

However, the optics of this cooperation—a shift from fierce opposition to tentative collaboration—undermine Raila’s historical position as an outsider and reformist.

Raila’s history of political deals has been a topic of ongoing debate. His involvement in the 2008 power-sharing agreement with Mwai Kibaki, which established the position of Prime Minister following the disputed 2007 election, was a critical moment in his career.

While the agreement brought stability after the post-election violence, it alienated many of his supporters, who felt that Raila had compromised too much in pursuit of political power.

Similarly, the 2018 “handshake” with President Uhuru Kenyatta, which led to the creation of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), was met with skepticism.

Critics argued that Raila’s shift from opposition leader to partner of the sitting president weakened his reformist credentials and signalled a preference for political accommodation over meaningful change.

Raila Odinga with the late President Mwai Kibaki when they signed a power-sharing agreement in 2008. PHOTO/UGC

Raila’s pattern of engaging in political deals is, in many ways, emblematic of his strategic pragmatism. He has consistently demonstrated an ability to adapt to shifting political landscapes, negotiating alliances that serve his long-term interests.

However, these deals have often been seen as double-edged swords—enabling Raila to maintain relevance, but at the cost of alienating segments of his base. His critics argue that these alliances reveal his willingness to compromise on core principles in exchange for political survival and power.

The recent ODM-UDA MoU represents another chapter in this ongoing saga of political manoeuvring. While Raila insists that this agreement does not constitute a coalition, the potential for future political cooperation remains open, and this ambiguity has contributed to the unease surrounding the deal.

If this partnership results in tangible reforms, greater national unity, and a stronger political footing for Raila’s party, it could be viewed as a savvy move, securing his place in Kenya’s political future. However, if the cooperation fails to deliver on its promises or is perceived as opportunistic, it risks tarnishing his image as a principled reformist.

Raila’s political career has been characterised by a remarkable ability to transcend the conventional boundaries of Kenyan politics. His unique capacity to remain at the centre of political power, despite repeatedly losing at the ballot box, underscores his dominance as a political strategist.

Whether in government or opposition, Raila has consistently managed to shape the political narrative, positioning himself as both a key player and a critic.

His reputation as a master of political acrobatics has earned him an almost mythic status in Kenya’s political landscape. He has become synonymous with resilience, reinvention, and an uncanny ability to navigate the ever-changing tides of power.

However, this ability to manoeuvre has come with a cost. Raila’s political persona, which once symbolised the struggle for democracy and human rights, has increasingly been framed as that of a pragmatist willing to trade principles for power.

This shift in perception has led to growing concerns among his supporters, who fear that his recent political decisions—particularly his rapprochement with President Ruto—could undermine the democratic values he once embodied.

Raila Odinga with the late President Daniel arap Moi when he merged his NDP party with Kanu. PHOTO/UGC.

Raila’s critics argue that his political pragmatism, encapsulated in a series of deals with Kenya’s political establishment, has diluted his credibility as a reformist leader. Others, however, view this cooperation as a necessary step towards ensuring political stability and securing a future role for his party in the national governance structure.

The true impact of the MoU with President Ruto will ultimately depend on how it is received by Raila’s core support base across the country and whether it results in meaningful political change or merely reinforces the status quo.

However, it has to be noted that Raila’s political journey is at a crossroads. The cooperation between ODM and UDA has the potential to reshape his legacy, but its success hinges on the outcome of this political experiment.

If the MoU leads to genuine reforms and national unity, Raila could be remembered as a pragmatic leader who embraced compromise for the greater good.

However, if the agreement is seen as a betrayal of his anti-establishment roots, it may redefine his legacy as a politician willing to abandon his principles in pursuit of power.

For now, Raila’s future in Kenyan politics remains uncertain, with the coming months set to determine how this delicate balancing act will play out.