By Anderson Ojwang
President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga are fast becoming Siamese twins, and their political union has been emboldening after Raila rejected political overtures from the opposition group to make him president.
Speaking at funeral in Siaya county, Raila dismissed calls by the impeached deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that he joins them so that they could make him become president in 2027.
After his impeachment, Gachagua said that he had been mandated by Mt Kenya people to look for a political formation that will bring power to the people.
“I was looking at it with few strategists from the region, Raila numbers is more exciting.
Because Raila already has 6.8 million votes.
We only beat him with only 200,000 votes.
If we agree to support him, we could, I told you with his 6.8 and our 6 million votes, if you look at his voting pattern, he normally votes between 10.00 am-11.00 am.
If we agree to support him. Before he votes, he will be the president.
That you can take to the bank,” he said in a recent interview.
Raila quoting a Luo proverb said jowi mager ema ichuogo piene, koro wachuogo pien (brave rhino is the one whose skin is used for tanning).
Raila asked the Luo community to stop political activism and focus on the future to benefit from the unfolding political scenario.
“I want our people to remain quite so that we can get what we want going forward.
Those who are making noise in the opposition told us that they were in the government of shareholders.
They said they have shares; they told us that they have shareholding in the government.
Some have more shares while others have least.
Now that they have left the government after their fights.
They have come to us so for us to join them in order to make us president.
But they are forgetting that when they were in the government, they used to abuse us.
They did not know that we are a people who matter.
Now at this time, they are in a fix, they want us to join them.
They now say that they we want to give you presidency.” he said.
Gachagua while in the office took to criticizing Raila and even said that he had laid traps in the Statehouse for Raila to negate his entry to meet the president.
For instance, during the burial of Mau Mau veteran General Mathenge in Nyandarua, Gachagua took issue with Raila for asking him to allow the ongoing consultation between Azimio and the Kenya Kwanza Government.
Raila said at the funeral “If we can hold consultations, that is in order.
Riggy G there is no harm in people talking.
Let people have talks even if you don’t want to hear my word, just listen to what I say.
We don’t want half of the loaf, what and which kind of bread ?
I do not want to become deputy president, I don’t want to be prime minister.
I am not interested.
Stop panicking.
I have not spoken or even met Ruto”
But Gachagua responded “ Former Prime Minister, we have not rejected salutations and talks but we fear you.
The reason, you came and had handshake with our son former president Uhuru Kenyatta.
He was a good person, he, loved and worked for us.
But when you got into handshake with him, he changed.
We from the Mt Kenya, we fear you.
Be like your father, help us in the fight for the land that belonged to the Mau Mau and were taken away and those who have possessed those lands are your friends.
Help us get back the land.”
During the last week’s visit of Kisumu and Homa Bay county by President Ruto, Raila and Ruto exhibit symbolic imageries by driving in a same vehicle in Kisumu and frying fish together at the newly opened Homa Bay fish market.
Siaya Governor James Orengo is the only leader from the region against the political union between Ruto and Raila and he has come under condemnations from local leaders led by Siaya senator Oburu Oginga and ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga.
Political analyst Prof Otieno Obondi argued that Raila is making it clear to the community that the time for opposition politics was over and that no member of the community should die in the streets again.
“Luos are not going back to opposition and him, Raila will not join the opposition leaders.
There are no more fightings.
Let us leave bravery behind and benefit from the government projects.
The People asking him to join them are same people who refused to vote for him during the elections.
They see him as tool to be used and later dumped after they have crossed the bridge.
Raila has learnt the hard way and now understands the game better.
They are now Siamese twin in politics, and the opposition is only interested in sowing the seed of discord to break them,” he argued.
Engineer Washington Omondi Ogaga said the declaration by Raila was a milestone to the Luo community.
“The Luo community has long been recognized for its cohesion, passion, and decisiveness in the pursuit of good governance and equity.
This dedication has been evident since the pre-independence era, culminating in Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s historic demand for the release of Jomo Kenyatta before accepting any instruments of power.
Following Kenyatta’s release, the course of Kenya’s history was irrevocably changed.
Today, the Luo community stands at a pivotal moment.
There is no longer a need to return to the streets in protest, as President William Ruto and Prime Minister Raila Odinga have presented an unprecedented opportunity on the negotiating table.
President Ruto has demonstrated his full confidence in and comfort with working alongside the Luo community.
Similarly, Raila Odinga has extended his goodwill, ensuring that the community is strategically positioned to support President Ruto’s return to Statehouse in 2027 and to form the next government.
The Luo community has endured the role of opposition for far too long, to the point where their plight became normalized.
This prolonged opposition has led other major communities to perceive the Luos as natural activists, primarily known for holding successive regimes accountable.
Unfortunately, this perception has been exploited by some senior politicians, often at the expense of the community’s broader interests.
We stand united in declaring that this exploitation must end.
The Luo community is ready to embrace a new chapter, one where their contributions to governance and equity are recognized and valued.
With the support of President Ruto and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the Luo community is poised to play a crucial role in shaping Kenya’s future, ensuring that their legacy of diligence and dedication continues to thrive,” he said.
