Raila Criticised for Threatening Ruto With Secession Ultimatum

A photo of Raila Odinga addressing supporters on Monday, March 27, 2023
A photo of Raila Odinga addressing supporters on Monday, March 27, 2023.
Photo
Azimio TV

Comments by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Friday, May 26, to break Kenya into two have attracted backlash, with his critics urging him to push for unity instead. 

Renowned lawyer, Professor Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba, slammed the Azimio la Umoja coalition leader on Saturday, May 27, claiming the quest for power was behind the secession calls.

“It is unfortunate that while citizens of goodwill are working towards East Africa (EA) integration and African unity, some Kenyan politicians are discussing secession in their quest for political offices.

“This megalomania must be condemned,” he criticised Raila. 

A photo collage of President William Ruto speaking in South Africa on May 17, 2023, (left) and Raila Odinga addressing the media on May 16, 2023 (right).
A photo collage of President William Ruto speaking in South Africa on May 17, 2023, (left) and Raila Odinga addressing the media on May 16, 2023 (right).
PCS
Raila Odinga

Constitutional lawyer, Ahmednasir Abdullahi, also concurred with PLO Lumumba that Raila was issuing the threat in an alleged quest for power.

“Cut part of Kenya's territory for me and make me President, Hon Raila pleads with UN,” commented Abdullahi.

Saitabao Ole Kanchory, Raila's chief agent during the August 2022 General Election, weighed in on the matter dismissing the clamour for secession.

It takes just one last straw to break the camel's back, instead of identifying that one straw and the damage to the opposition is busy rummaging through the haystack.

“Talking secession months out of tune is simply silly. We want a better Kenya not to leave Kenya,” noted Kanchory.

Raila and his allies gave President William Ruto a week to denounce his deputy's narrative on Kenya having shareholders lest they push for self-independence.

''If you do not denounce the statement within a week, we will write to the United Nations (UN) to ask for self-determination," Raila issued the ultimatum to Ruto while speaking at Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s prayer meeting at Yatta Farm in Machakos, on Friday, May 26. 

President William Ruto, while addressing a joint media session on Sunday, May 14, declined to debunk DP Rigathi Gachagua's remarks. The head of state, instead, asked the press to reach out to the DP for clarification. 

Gachagua, in February 2023, declared that government would prioritise its staunch supporters when making appointments and issuing contracts, a statement that sparked uproar and raised questions on tribalism, nepotism, and graft. 

From left to right: Azimio coalition presidential leader Raila Odinga, his running mate Martha Karua and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka exchange views in Nairobi on April 18, 2023.
From left to right: Azimio coalition presidential leader Raila Odinga, his running mate Martha Karua and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka exchange views in Nairobi on April 18, 2023.
Photo
Raila Odinga

This government is a company that has shares. Some owners have the majority of shares, and those with just a few, while others do not have any. You invested in this government, and you must reap. You sowed, tilled, put manure and irrigated, and now it is time to reap,” the country’s second-in-command boldly stated. 

Meanwhile, this is not the first time Raila has called for secession in his push to hold the government accountable or bow to his demands. 

In October 2017, Raila led the clamour to divide Kenya into two, citing misrule by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“We believe in a united Kenya. We do not support secession, but you have seen the disintegration of countries in Eastern Europe. 

“This debate about self-determination is gaining currency as a result of misgovernance,” Raila stated then. 

Raila swore himself as the people's president on January 30, 2018. On March 9, 2018, he shook hands with Uhuru in what was termed a gentleman's agreement or the handshake.