#raila odinga

[cirie-won-thirty-four]

All I’ll say is that I didn’t vote for that FUCK! I voted for the socialist revolutionary so this finance bill is YOU bitches fault!

[faultfalha]

Kenya is in chaos. The death toll mounts as the police crackdown on protests against the new US-IMF backed tax regime intensifies. The people are angry, desperate. They know that this new tax will only further impoverish them, that it is yet another way for the rich to line their pockets. The future looks bleak. But the people will not be silenced. They are fighting for their rights, for their future. Even in the face of violence and brutality, they refuse to give up. And they may yet win. The US-IMF may have overplayed their hand this time. The people of Kenya are ready to fight, and they will not be defeated.

[justinawamae]

Is a Progressive Politician, Wife, Mother, Kenya’s 2022 Presidential Running Mate, Entrepreneur, Supply Chain Expert, 21st Century Policy Thinker and Ordinary Kenya who believes that Kenyan problems should be remedied by Kenyan solutions in a bid to order the disorder and lack of co-ordination in our country. I challenge Kenyans that for change to happen they should be willing to invest in the��

[kenyahorizon]

Kenya’s Political Party Shuffle Fuels Violence and Instability

Barely seven months after leaving office, former President Uhuru Kenyatta finds himself fighting to keep his once-powerful Jubilee Party afloat. The party that clinched him a second term and parliamentary majority in 2017 suffered a devastating blow in the 2022 elections—winning only 27 of 290 parliamentary seats, four senatorial posts, and just one governorship. But this isn’t unusual in Kenya. Political parties here rarely survive beyond a single election cycle.

In fact, since the defeat of the independence-era KANU party in 2002, no single party or coalition has held on to power for more than one term. Party-hopping by political elites has become the norm. Kenyan political scientist Gilbert Khadiagala, who has spent decades researching this volatility, explains how it’s feeding the flames of instability.

A History of Fluid Alliances

Kenya’s political fluidity dates back to the early 1990s when the country reintroduced multiparty democracy. Opposition alliances quickly emerged to challenge KANU, the dominant ruling party that had held power since independence. KANU, under Jomo Kenyatta and later Daniel arap Moi, governed with an iron grip—co-opting opposition leaders into its vast patronage network while silencing dissent.

The newly formed coalitions were often united more by ethnicity and regional loyalty than by ideology. One of the earliest coalitions, the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD), fractured within a year into FORD-Kenya and FORD-Asili. Splinters like this would become a pattern, with coalitions routinely breaking apart and reconfiguring ahead of each election.

Even today, the country’s dominant coalitions—Kenya Kwanza (led by President William Ruto) and Azimio la Umoja (led by opposition leader Raila Odinga)—are a patchwork of smaller, often regionally or ethnically based parties. These alliances, built for short-term electoral gain, lack the ideological coherence and institutional resilience needed for long-term governance.

Why It Matters

Thirty years into competitive politics, many had hoped Kenya would develop strong national parties. Instead, the country is stuck with fragile coalitions that rise and fall with each electoral cycle. This fuels uncertainty and undermines political stability.

In more mature democracies, such as Germany, political parties are deeply institutionalized and form coalitions after elections based on clear policy alignments. In Kenya, however, coalitions are hastily assembled before elections, with little thought to governance once in office.

The result is deepening societal rifts. Ethnic mobilization, patronage politics, and resource competition have turned elections into high-stakes battles that often spill into violence. This is especially dangerous in a “winner-takes-all” system like Kenya’s, where the prize is control over vast national resources and public offices.

How Instability Breeds Violence and Corruption

Fragile coalitions also create fertile ground for unrest. Losing coalitions often reject election results and mobilize their supporters, leading to post-election violence. A striking example occurred after the 2017 elections, when Odinga’s NASA coalition threatened to push for the secession of their regions following disputed results.

The 2002 formation of the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) under Mwai Kibaki initially seemed like a turning point. But optimism soon faded. The coalition collapsed amid internal ethnic tensions and ultimately contributed to the 2007–2008 post-election violence that left over a thousand dead and displaced hundreds of thousands.

Even the 2008 Government of National Unity—brokered by international mediators—was riddled with tensions. Its leaders parted ways and formed new coalitions for the next election, perpetuating the cycle.

These unstable alliances also drive corruption. Winning coalitions often spend enormous amounts to secure victory and must recoup these costs once in power—usually through looting and misappropriation of state resources.

Are There Any Benefits to These Loose Coalitions?

In deeply divided societies, temporary alliances can sometimes offer a way to share power and project a veneer of national unity. Kenya’s coalitions allow ethnically and regionally diverse leaders to collaborate��at least on the surface. But such cooperation is usually short-lived and lacks meaningful policy coordination.

Until Kenya achieves deeper national cohesion, these fluid coalitions may continue to serve as a practical, albeit imperfect, model for navigating its diverse society.

The Path Forward: Building Real Parties

For Kenya to break this destructive cycle, its politics must shift from ethnic allegiances to issue-based engagement. The public already shares many common concerns—cost of living, unemployment, health care, and education. But the political class thrives on division, using ethnicity to distract from economic and governance failures.

Transforming coalitions into stable, institutionalized parties with clear ideologies and national reach is essential. Only then can Kenya move toward more predictable, peaceful, and transparent politics. Until the quest for presidential power becomes less about ethnic arithmetic and more about national interest, the country’s political landscape will remain as volatile as ever.

[thedailywhistle]

President Ruto and Raila Odinga are set to announce a broad-based government, sparking political uncertainty. Here's what it means for Kenya’s leadership.

[kenyapulse]

MPs Call for Raila to Join Ruto's Government After AUC Chair Loss

Members of Parliament have expressed support for the idea of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga joining President William Ruto's government following his defeat in the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson race.

Kitui Central MP, Makali Mulu, suggested on Tuesday that Odinga’s experience and leadership would be an asset to the country and should be utilized by the government. He highlighted the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, which recognizes the role of the leader of the opposition, and urged its adoption to give Odinga an official position in the executive.

“Raila should be part of the government now that he is back. The NADCO report should be passed to ensure Kenyans benefit from his years of experience,” Mulu said in an interview with Citizen TV. He also pointed out that if Odinga chooses to work with Ruto, it could pave the way for more people to join the government, though some may have to step aside for others to take their place.

However, Mulu also noted that Odinga could choose to retire and leave behind his political ambitions. He warned that this might alienate younger Kenyans who feel betrayed by Odinga's actions during the political crisis, with many accusing him of abandoning the youth.

"He could step back and advise younger leaders, but this might not resonate with the Gen Zs, who see him as a figure that betrayed them," Mulu said.

Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge also supported the idea of utilizing Odinga's potential, stressing that Ruto’s government should not wait until the 2027 elections to involve the opposition leader in a formal role.

“Kenyans across the political divide recognize Raila’s value to the country. We should not wait until 2027 to give him a role but rather allow him to contribute to the nation now,” Mathenge said.

The conversation was sparked after Belgut MP Nelson Koech suggested that Odinga could be given a prominent position in the government, including his former role as Prime Minister. However, Mathenge dismissed the idea of reviving the Prime Minister's office, stating that it would require constitutional changes to be implemented.

The debate continues, with MPs advocating for Raila Odinga’s inclusion in the government to help move the country forward.

[hicginewsagency]

Odinga is spending sleepless  night as he seeks AU top job.

Odinga has appeared to blow hot and cold on his new truce with President Ruto. One of the trending topics on Kenya’s social media on Thursday was the presence of the country’s former prime minister Raila Odinga at the Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Summit in Nairobi alongside seven heads of state and government, including President William Ruto. Odinga, who lost the last election to the…

[radiohalisi]

Raila meets behind closed doors with governor and MCAs of Siaya

Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), arrived at the Siaya County Administration Building on Monday morning for a meeting with authorities behind closed doors. He started by visiting Governor James Orengo’s office before walking along Barack Obama Street to the assembly. Raila entered an unofficial meeting with county assembly members in the Siaya County…

[rainypoetrydefendor]

Fellow Activists we need your voice and donation

https://gofund.me/6930e2d7

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Kenya face significant challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Sodomy is prohibited in Kenya, punishable by 21 years' imprisonment, and any sexual practices (termed "gross indecency") are a felony of the same statute, punishable by 5 years' imprisonment. On 24 May 2019, the High Court of Kenya refused an order to declare same sex marriage. The state does not recognise any relationships between persons of the same sex; same-sex marriage is banned under the Kenyan Constitution since 2010. There are no explicit protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Adoption is restricted to heterosexual couples only.

Expressions of homosexuality are illegal under Kenyan statutes and carry a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment to 21 years in certain aggravating circumstances. Sex acts between women are mentioned under the gender-neutral term person and are enforced equally. Indeed, Prime Minister Raila Odinga in November 2010 called on for them to be arrested along with gay men.

LGBTQ migrants "asylum seeker and refugees" living in Kenya and continue to be at risk since the host community has stood firm on their decision to eliminate whoever practicing sodomy as stated.

https://gofund.me/6930e2d7

Please don't forget to consider making a donation to make aworld of difference on our lives even if it's little but can make a great impact

[beardedmrbean]

Kenyan free-speech advocates and lawyers have condemned the prosecution of the author of an unauthorised biography of Kenyan President William Ruto's daughter.

Charlene Ruto accused Webster Ochora Elijah of "misusing" her name by writing the book without first seeking permission from her.

On Tuesday, the author was arrested and charged with impersonation over the book titled Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising. He pleaded not guilty and was released on bail.

Ms Ruto told journalists that she had reported the matter to the police and was following legal procedures. She is listed as the complainant on the charge sheet.

The charge alleges that the accused published the book on or before 22 May, alongside others who are yet to be charged, with intention to defraud.

The president's daughter has not complained about the contents of the book, just that it was written without her permission.

But critics say this is not illegal.

Politician and lawyer Willis Otieno said to "criminalise authorship" was misusing the "state machinery in defence of fragile egos".

Literary critic Mbugua Ngunjiri said the author did "nothing wrong", giving an example of an unauthorised biography of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, in 2014, where the "author did not need to consult".

"A million writers can write 'her book' and it will be perfectly legal. The only time Charlene would be justified to go after the author is if he misrepresented her in any way," he posted on Facebook.

The president's daughter told journalists that there was a "bad culture" in Kenya "where we misuse people's names and we get away with it and that is not right".

She said the author had not sought permission from her and it did not matter whether the book was "positive" about her.

"The gentleman never came to me with a suggestion that he wants to write a book on my behalf and for me that is a misappropriate use of my name," she said.

The self-published book, by a little-known author, aged 25, has not been widely distributed and there is not much publicly available information about its contents. It is not available online.

His legal team have argued that his work did not constitute a crime. Lawyer Kennedy Mong'are told local media that he had previously written books about public figures, including on veteran politician Raila Odinga and US President Donald Trump.

Another lawyer, Evan Ondieki, said that high-ranking government figures should expect public scrutiny and that the arrest undermined Kenya's democratic values.

"You cannot be so thick-skinned that the use of your name or image becomes an offence," he stated.

In April, a secondary school teacher was charged for impersonating another daughter of President Ruto, by pretending to be June Ruto on Facebook.

Charlene Ruto is a high-profile figure who has in the past been likened to a version of Ivanka Trump, daughter of the US president.

She has often been a guest at public events, and in the past met leaders across the country and attended international forums.

In 2022, she denied that public money was being used to fund what she called the "Office of the First Daughter".

The court case has amplified concerns about restrictions on free expression, particularly following the recent detention of software developer Rose Njeri.

Njeri was arrested on Friday for creating a tool that helped citizens oppose the government's annual finance bill.

She was charged with cyber-crime and computer misuse on Tuesday and freed on bail until 20 June when the court will determine whether she will answer the charges.

She has since thanked Kenyans for raising their voices against her "ludicrous" arrest and detention.

[protoslacker]

This state of affairs didn’t start with Ruto. The “Must Go” suffix itself was alive and well in the era of his predecessor, when youths were gunned down for shouting it in western counties during protests. Ruto is, in short, by no means excrescent to the Kenyan body politic. Perhaps what makes him come off as so aggravating is the fact that he is actually its very avatar, a pastiche of the rogues’ gallery of presidents that preceded him.

Achan Muga in Africa Is a Country. Kenya’s vibe shift

From aesthetic cool to political confusion, a new generation in Kenya is navigating broken promises, borrowed styles, and the blurred lines between irony and ideology.

I hadn't read anything by Achan Muga before, and I fon't know much about Kenyan politics, but was enthralled by his writing.

Heere is the Wikipedia article on the 2007 Kenyan General Election. If I remember correctly both the major presidential candiates Mwai Kabakiand Raila Odinga had hired American political pollsters. I remember feeling at the time that some of of the toxiciity of teha US 2004 electionss hadbeen imported to Kenya. (I'm not much of a political analyst, so wouldn' place much stock in my opinion.) A big take away from Achan Muga's essay is Gen Z is srepping into an awful political landscape. And that certainly seems true for American Gen Z too.

[matovugodfreymg]

*🌍 A҉F҉R҉I҉C҉A҉*

Following the withdrawal of the candidature of H.E. Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Mauritius, from the race of becoming the next Chairperson of the African Union Commission, only 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 remain.

- 🇩🇯H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Foreign Affairs Minister, Djibouti

- 🇰🇪H.E. Raila Amolo Odinga, Former Prime Minister, Kenya

- 🇲🇬H.E. Richard J. Randriamandrato, Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Madagascar

Read the 𝐫𝐞́𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞́𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 of the 3 Candidates 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 [au.int/en/AUC_Electio…].

𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 the candidates elaborate on why they are the best candidates to head the African Union Commission this Friday, 13th December 2024 on Mjadala Afrika televised debate.

📺The debate will be televised across AU Member States in all the 6 official working languages of the African Union English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swahili.

🟢The broadcast will kick off at 19:00-21:00 EAT |18.00-20.00 CAT |16.00-18.00 GMT.

📍African Union Headquarters.

📌

https://x.com/matovuGodfrey6/status/1866535302732349904?t=67vBwx5oJVroTw5SE-84nw&s=19

@𝑴𝒈💕🕊️

#A҉F҉R҉I҉C҉A҉_U҉N҉I҉T҉E҉D҉🌍

𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭𝓹𝓮𝓸𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓸𝓯𝓪𝓯𝓻𝓲𝓬𝓪.𝓸𝓻𝓰

☕︎☕︎☕︎

🇺🇬🇿🇦

[wamuzimedia]

Kalonzo Brands Raila’s Support for Adani Deal as “Un‐Kenyan”, Launches Legal Assault.

In a dramatic escalation of the growing controversy over Kenya’s Adani Group agreements, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has launched a scathing rebuke at Azimio chief Raila Odinga—accusing him of abandoning patriotism by backing what Musyoka calls an “opaque, national asset giveaway”. Speaking at a church event in Kajiado this week, Musyoka tore into the $1.3 billion concession that awards…

[netbuzzafrica]

Meta’s AI Moderation Under Fire for Removing Political Comment in Kenya

Meta’s Oversight Board is investigating a high-stakes case involving the deletion of a politically charged comment on Facebook—highlighting ongoing tensions between automated content moderation, ethnic discourse, and free speech in Kenya. The controversy stems from a February 2025 comment under a post discussing Raila Odinga’s bid for African Union Commission (AUC) chairman. The post featured a…