ODM party leader Raila Odinga has shared new details on why he chose to make peace with President William Ruto at a time when Kenya was facing its most heated political moment last year.
Speaking during the Orange Democratic Movement’s Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting on Monday, September 22, Raila told his members that the decision was not about political deals or personal gain but about saving the country from chaos.
He explained that the country was on the brink of collapse, and if nothing had been done, Kenya risked falling into deeper instability.
“About a year ago, we got together with the UDA party to help steady the ship of the Kenyan nation, which had been hit by extreme turbulence and was on the verge of collapse,” Raila said.
The veteran politician recalled the dark days of 2024 when nationwide protests against the Finance Bill shook the government.
At the time, Kenyans were taking to the streets in large numbers, and security agencies were clashing with demonstrators almost daily.
Lives were lost, businesses disrupted, and the mood in the country was tense and unpredictable.
It was during this period that Raila made what many saw as a surprising move, choosing to work with President Ruto.
The two leaders later unveiled a broad-based government, a decision that split opinions among Kenyans.
Critics accused Raila of betraying the opposition, while his allies argued that he had put the country’s interests first.
Raila now says the choice was about preventing Kenya from slipping into violence and safeguarding the future of millions of citizens.
“Sometimes leadership means making painful but necessary decisions,” he told ODM members, urging them to stand united as the party charts its path towards 2027.
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