Youths in Baringo County have expressed their opposition to Raila Odinga potentially joining forces with President William Ruto.
In a video shared by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna, a group of young people urged Sifuna to deliver a message to Raila, advising him not to form an alliance with Ruto.
The warning came ahead of discussions about a potential political pact between Raila and Ruto ahead of the 2027 elections.
While posing for photos with Sifuna at the funeral of Baringo Senator William Cheptumo in Bartabwa, the youths clearly voiced their concern, saying, “Tell Raila not to join Ruto.”
Sifuna, who attended the funeral, paused and asked them to repeat their message, and they responded in unison, “We don’t want him to join Ruto.”
President Ruto was also present at the funeral. Reports from Nation indicate that Ruto is prepared to offer up to 50 percent of Cabinet positions and more government roles to Raila in an effort to gain his support.
A meeting between the two leaders at State House Mombasa reportedly ironed out key details of the deal, which could be publicly announced soon.
Sources reveal that the midweek discussions involved Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, and other prominent leaders.
Raila, who has been holding consultative meetings in Western and Nyanza, has hinted at a major announcement regarding his political direction.
He has also held town hall meetings to convince his supporters that cooperating with Ruto’s government would benefit the nation.
The two leaders have seemed aligned since their return from the unsuccessful African Union Commission chairperson bid, with both seemingly reading from the same script.
Despite some ODM members suggesting that Raila could run for president in 2027, Ruto has called for unity, stating, “We close ranks and focus on what we can do for Kenya… We need all hands on deck to achieve this mission and vision.”
In response, Raila has expressed his willingness to contribute, saying, “We are available to help the continent of Africa, but more importantly, we are also available for Kenya.”
It appears that Raila is open to cooperating with Ruto, a potential coalition that could grant him a position similar to his role in the 2008 coalition government.
Already, several former top ODM leaders have taken up Cabinet positions in Ruto’s administration, including Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum), John Mbadi (National Treasury and Economic Planning), Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSMEs), and Beatrice Askul Moe (East African Community).
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