President William Ruto on Friday offered a rare and candid admission that Kenya’s democracy and his own presidency might not have survived the Gen Z protests that gripped the nation last year without the intervention of his long-time rival, Raila Odinga.
During the state funeral of the former prime minister at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, President Ruto traced his long and complicated relationship with Odinga—from their days in the Pentagon coalition, to standing on opposite sides in successive elections, and finally to what he called “our paths crossing” in July last year.
He spoke in unusually personal terms, describing how Odinga “stood beside me, this time to steady the nation and help anchor my leadership, culminating in the birth of a broad-based government”.
President William Ruto signs the condolence book in honour of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Parliament Buildings, Nairobi on October 17, 2025.
Photo credit: PCS
The statement was both political and historical, marking the first time the president publicly acknowledged that Odinga played a direct role in stabilising his administration during one of the most turbulent moments in Kenya’s recent history.
He was referring to the chaotic months of mid-2024 when thousands of young Kenyans poured into the streets demanding accountability, railing against corruption and runaway prices, and rejecting what they saw as a broken system.
The Gen Z Revolution—a decentralised, social media–driven movement—shook the foundations of state authority and left the administration exposed. Cabinet ministers retreated from public view, and the police, overwhelmed by the scale and spontaneity of the protests, struggled to contain a movement that had evolved into a moral judgment on governance.
Odinga’s quiet intervention, now confirmed by the president’s own words, saw the appointment of Raila allies into government. Odinga helped create the framework for a broad-based government that drew representation from across political lines.
The ‘broad-based government’ saw the quiet integration of Odinga’s close allies into key state positions. These included Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), John Mbadi (National Treasury), Hassan Joho (Mining), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives) and Beatrice Askul (East African Community).
“We have been both collaborators and competitors, friends and rivals, but always patriotic Kenyans, united by a dream greater than ourselves—the dream of our united motherland,” he said, recalling their time together in the 2007 “Pentagon” movement—which also included Joseph Njaga, Najib Balala, and Musalia Mudavadi—and their bitter rivalry in 2022.
His remarks drew thunderous applause when he declared that “history will judge Raila fairly and kindly”, praising him as “a reformer, a moral compass, and a reconciler”. The president’s voice quivered slightly as he recited Raila’s favourite song, “Jamaica Farewell”, calling it “a melody of longing and gentle sorrow”.
He spoke not as a conqueror but as a survivor, paying homage to the man who steadied his hand.
“We have been both collaborators and competitors, friends and rivals, but always patriotic Kenyans, united by a dream greater than ourselves—the dream of our united motherland,” he said.
The Head of State also spoke of Odinga’s “indomitable vigour” and “unwavering valour”, language that contrasted sharply with the acrimony that once defined their contests.
In eulogising his former rival, the president conceded the limits of power and the indispensability of dialogue in moments of national fracture.
“Perhaps one of the greatest lessons he taught us,” President Ruto said, “was that in the noble task of statecraft and nation-building, there is room for all of us—competitors and collaborators, rivals and allies—bound together by one higher purpose: the greater good of our Republic.”
