Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has launched a fiery critique against Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition Principal Raila Odinga, accusing him of betraying his opposition roots by aligning with President William Ruto's government.
In a video circulating online, Omtatah minced no words in labelling Odinga’s recent political manoeuvre as “political prostitution”.
“This kind of greed, and political prostitution are not acceptable. You can do prostitution with the old order, but I think the new order, which is exposed, cannot allow political prostitutes,” Omtatah declared, referring to Odinga’s decision to align his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) with Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza camp.
Omtatah didn’t stop there. He added, “And unfortunately, Baba has turned out to be a political prostitute, who cannot resist the temptation to go into bed with any offer. That is thereby an illegitimate government.”
This explosive commentary comes on the heels of a Daily Nation report revealing that Odinga has become one of President Ruto’s closest allies amidst the ongoing political upheaval within the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Odinga, once a fierce critic of Ruto’s government, has faced mounting pressure to denounce the administration he previously labelled as 'illegitimate'.
The prolonged period of mass protests appears to have entrenched the alliance between Ruto and Odinga, with the two leaders now exploring the creation of a “broad-based government.” This term, often seen as a euphemism for a government of national unity, is viewed by both as the optimal strategy to address the escalating unrest. Sources close to both leaders reveal that Odinga and Ruto are engaged in regular meetings.
Their ongoing discussions are primarily aimed at stabilising the nation. Reports from within both camps suggest that Odinga has gained significant influence in the Kenya Kwanza administration, with the leaders now participating in “daily consultations” to forge a path towards national reconciliation.
However, contrary to expectations, Odinga defended Ruto during an ODM Parliamentary Group Meeting on Wednesday, July 17, rejecting all calls for Ruto to resign. “Ruto goes, then what? Ruto may go then Gachagua takes over [to continue] implementing bad policies. Ruto can also say ‘I am tired, let the [military] generals take over. Then the country begins to go through what Egypt went through after Tahrir Square. ‘Ruto must go’ cannot be an end,” Odinga asserted.
He continued, “It’s at times of crisis like this that a country needs to talk. We are not doing it to save Ruto. We are doing it to save Kenya. Generals don’t have teargas. They don’t have water cannons. They have bullets.”
Despite these developments, Odinga’s close allies insist he has not held private meetings with the President at State House, Nairobi, wary of the potential political fallout for the opposition leader before the formal signing of a cooperation pact. Speaking at the weekend in Kakamega, Odinga defended himself against claims of clandestine meetings with President Ruto.
“When I was called for the signing of the IEBC (Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission) Bill recently, they wanted me to go to State House but I declined. They then proposed Harambee House, the President’s office, which again I said I would not go and suggested a public space. When they proposed KICC, I obliged,” Odinga explained, countering accusations of secret visits to State House.
Nonetheless, Odinga’s critics remain unrelenting. Omtatah dismissed the notion that Odinga’s actions are for the country’s benefit, stating, "Raila is just angling for his own stomach. He is not angling for anybody's stomach. He has not even demanded justice for the kids who died. How can it be rushing to go to bed?"
Adding, "Before going to negotiate with a criminal, why would you need the man that a criminal comes clean when what has happened to this country?”
