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  President William Ruto led Kenyans in the celebration of the 62nd Madaraka Day at Raila Odinga stadium in Homa Bay County on Sunday. Homa Bay County governor Gladys Wanga used the occasion to heap praises on Ruto's broad-based government and the numerous economic development that her region had benefited as a result of their cooperation. Wanga applauded the president for initiating a dual-carriage road network in Homa Bay town and the establishment of national government funded modern fish market in the region. The Madaraka Day event that was feted in Raila Odinga’s stronghold was themed: Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs. What Raila Odinga said The protocol was altered when Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki invited former Prime Minister and the doyen of opposition politics, Raila Odinga to speak. Raila asserted that the holding of the event in Homa Bay county was a clear testimony that 'coalition works’. The former premier rose to the occasion and urged President Ruto to...

 Like the proverbial cat, Raila Amollo Odinga has nine political lives. Despite losing 5 presidential elections, he has always manoeuvred his way to government. It beats common logic how the ODM leader managed to sneak 4 allies to holding key cabinet positions in Ruto's government. The nomination of Ali Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya, John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi as Cabinet Secretaries got Kenyans unaware and left mixed reactions among citizens. The mystery that merged the two political giants occurred amidst widespread protests drawn from Generation Z popularly dubbed as Gen Z. Gen Z, comprising a group of youths born in the late 90s and early 2000s, who were dissatisfied with punitive tax measures imposed on Kenyans by Kenya Kwanza government storm the streets demanding change. The protests that culminated into a section of Gen Z youths storming the precincts of parliament led to the withdrawal of the 2024 Finance Bill and dissolution of the Cabinet by President William Ruto. Owi...

  Raila Odinga's quest to liberate Kenyans from authoritarianism remain unstoppable. History of the Saba Saba event in Kenya The original Saba Saba rally was organized by Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia and Raila Odinga. However, the three didn't make it to the Kamukunji venue. The first Saba Saba rally in Kenya took place on 07/07/1990. The aim of the event was to bludgeon the then president Daniel Arap Moi to repeal section 2(A) of the Constitution in paving way for multiparty democracy. Political players Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia, Raila Odinga, lawyers John Khaminwa and Gitobu Imanyara were arrested by the police. Kiraitu Murungi who was on a trip to Ethiopia, chose to cut-off his journey back to Kenya and fled to the United Kingdom. Lawyer Mohammed Ibrahim, currently a judge of the Supreme Court, was arrested by the Special Branch officers after they failed to find the then Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Paul Muite at his office. Senior Counsel Gibson K...

  Ever heard about the history of multiparty democracy and how several African countries succumbed to pressure that thrashed one-party dictatorship. Multiparty politics was majorly influenced by countries with established democracies such as the West led by Britain and America. Raila Amollo Odinga is one of the most powerful politicians in Kenya. He is revered both locally and abroad. He enjoys a wider political network, superseding those of his political detractors, with an edge. The doyen of opposition politics staged a series of street protests rejecting to recognize the legitimacy of William Ruto as Kenya's validly elected president. How Raila's impact resonates with other African countries In 2007, Raila Odinga protested the outcome of the presidential election which placed Mwai Kibaki ahead of him. The spontaneous election violence that ensued the 2007 General Elections in Kenya remains one of the darkest moment in Kenya's history. Incidences of almost a similar natu...

  ODM leader Raila Odinga has intensified his call for the reopening of IEBC servers for public scrutiny to identify who really won the 2022 Kenya Presidential election. Raila has called for mass protest over increased cost of living, while advancing his own political agenda. The increased cost of living has given Raila impetus in his renewed assault against the government which, in his own view, lost in 2022 elections. Will Raila manage to oust Ruto? President William Ruto is yet to unleash any physical confrontation of State machinery against his political nemesis, despite heightened pressure to lessen the tax burden from the previous pupulace. Kenya's appetite for foreign debt is still high. The government totally erred when it attributed that the current inflationary rate is occasioned to the fluctuating global oil prices. Russian incursion on Ukraine had also pinned as a contributing factor to increased prices of essential commodities. The scion of Jaramogi underpins the re...

  Many Kenyans wonder why President William Ruto hasn't sent security forces to thwart Raila's rallies. ODM leader Raila Odinga is arguably Kenya's last strong man that's still standing and daring the Kenyan bulls by their horns. Political underdogs in both camps have made a name by either praising or ridiculing him, depending on which region you are based. Raila has dared four Kenya's presidents in a row. History have it that he almost dethroned Daniel Arap Moi through military in 1982. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta succumbed to the 'handshake deal' to lessen Raila's impact on economic sabotage, that would have cost the country's GDP. The doyen of opposition politics has a massive following and is most feared by Kenya government.  Deployment of security forces to preclude his political operations might amount to human rights violations such as extrajudicial killings. President Ruto fears going the Hague route again, as most of Raila's supporte...

Qu estions continue to arise as to whether the alleged arrest plan of Dr Fred Matiang'i was an act of vengeance or a well choreographed ploy to induce him to the political inner core. Dr Matiang'i was a key Cabinet Secretary in the previous regime in charge of the security docket. He wielded excess powers, and had much say than the Deputy President. Citizen TV had reported that the elite police squad had camped the home of Matiang'i to arrest him. This prompted a quick rebuttal, and a battery of lawyers led by Danstun Omar stormed his Karen home to defend Matiang'i from arrest. Police IG Japhet Koome has distanced the security forces from the night onslaught. Interior CS Prof Kithure Kindiki echoed the IG's sentiment to the effect that the police were not involved in the night raid at his predecessor's home. Azimio Coalition members and their Kenya Kwanza have sharply differed over the imminent arrest of the former Interior CS. Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah ...

  Kenya is set to undergo a democratic process in which Kenyans will have a chance to vote in leaders of their choice. The country has experienced a vicious electioneering period, characterized with harsh exchanges, sometimes leading to physical confrontation among antagonizing camps. The heat of the election moment will be felt ahead of the announcement of a new president. Opposition leader Raila Amollo Odinga is expected to face a fierce contest with Deputy President William Samoei Ruto . The two top presidential contenders have not left anything to chance. Raila is making his fifth presidential stab, while Ruto will be on his first attempt. If history was to repeat itself, Raila Odinga has the highest chance of being elected to replace President Uhuru Kenyatta. Former President Mwai Kibaki and his successor Uhuru Kenyatta failed on their first attempts. Basing on the same precedence, it's expected that Ruto will not make it to presidency. However, this fact is hypothetical a...

Kenya will hold a General Election on August 09 th 2022. Top Presidential contenders include Deputy President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga. Just like the previous two elections, there will be no run-off as there’s no other third person with nationwide support other than Ruto and Raila. Opposition Leader Raila Odinga has a long history of contesting for presidency and this will be his fifth stab for the top job. Deputy President William Ruto will be vying for presidency for the first time and is likely to give the doyen of opposition politics a run for his money. DP Ruto enjoys massive support from the underprivileged courtesy of his ‘Hustler’ narrative, which resonates well with the lower echelon. Ruto will vie on a UDA ticket.  The second in command has upset the status quo by snatching President Uhuru Kenyatta his support base due to the latter’s dalliance with Raila. Selling Raila in Central Kenya has been a herculean task and has significantly reduced Uhuru’s influ...

D eputy President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga stare at a possible predicament as they seek to expand their coalition lattices in order to accommodate new players. The entry of ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya colleague Moses Wetangula into Ruto’s camp has compounded things on the DP’s initial camp. Recently, Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua spilled everything and told new entrants to forget about the running mate position. According to Gachagua, the Deputy President slot is a preserve of Mt Kenya. This argument is reinforced basing on the numerical strength of supporters being brought onboard.  Mt Kenya region is among the top vote-rich zone in Kenya. The region has produced three presidents of Kenya – Jomo Kenyatta (Kiambu), Mwai Kibaki (Nyeri) and Uhuru Kenyatta (Kiambu). Owing to their proximity to power, leaders from the region want to remain a heartbeat away from presidency after the retirement of President Uhuru Kenyatta.  Raila Odinga is mos...

P resident Uhuru Kenyatta met Mt Kenya regional leaders allied to Azimio La Umoja, amidst Kenyans outcry over increased food prices. Ruto and allies have attacked the government over augmented cost of living. The President has declared open support for opposition leader Raila Odinga to the chagrin of the Deputy President William Ruto . Uhuru made known his intentions at the Sagana 3 State Lodge meeting. Uhuru had in the past hinted his support to his erstwhile political nemesis, though, he hadn’t declared it publicly. Sagana 3 ended speculations of whether Uhuru would direct Mt Kenya region in a different direction or not. His declaration of Raila’s support come months after Mt Kenya Foundation under the auspices of business moguls declared their support for the ODM leader.  The President has been accusing his deputy over early campaigns, instead of working. Uhuru christened Ruto as ‘ tangatanga, due to his energy of traversing the country in his popularization campaigns.  “I...

Opposition Chief Raila Amollo Odinga will be making his fifth presidential attempt in 2022. The Mt Kenya Foundation comprising of wealthy business moguls drawn from Central Kenya have endorsed his candidature ahead of his official declaration on December 10 th 2021. The Friday event is a culmination of the ‘Azimio La Umoja’ rallies, where the ODM boss will be endorsed by his Party to contest for presidency. Raila has been engaging with Kenyans and various friendly political parties ahead of the Friday event. Parties Supporting Raila’s Presidential Bid  So far there are a number of political parties that support Raila Odinga’s presidential candidacy. Most of the Parties supporting the ODM leader were recently formed by key political players who want to be part of the presidential transition. The Parties include: Devolution Empowerment Party (Kiraitu Murungi), National Ordinary People Empowerment Party (Mpuru Aburi), Ubuntu Peoples Party (Lee Kinyanjui), Democratic Act...