Didmus Barasa: Kalonzo’s 2007 defection cost Raila the presidency
By Kiprono Keileb, November 11, 2025Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa has revisited the 2007 general election, stating that Kalonzo Musyoka’s decision to break away from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) denied the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga a clear path to the presidency.
In a statement shared on X on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, Barasa reflected on the historic election that pitted Raila Odinga against then-President Mwai Kibaki, describing how key political moves at the time changed the country’s leadership trajectory.
“In 2007, William Ruto, then a key ODM leader, mobilised Rift Valley voters, helping Raila Odinga secure approximately 1.4 million votes in the region,” Barasa said in his post.
He went on to recall the official results that sparked one of Kenya’s most contested elections.
“The disputed election results showed Mwai Kibaki with 4,584,721 votes (46.4%) against Odinga’s 4,352,993 (44.1%). Post-election violence led to a February 2008 power-sharing agreement under the National Accord, making Odinga Prime Minister in a grand coalition government,” he stated. Barasa said if Kalonzo Musyoka had previously thrown his weight behind Raila Odinga, he would have won by far.
Barasa also highlighted Kalonzo Musyoka’s split from ODM just months before the election, suggesting that the move fragmented the opposition vote and weakened Raila’s winning chances.
“Kalonzo Musyoka split from ODM in August 2007 to run as ODM-Kenya candidate, receiving 879,903 votes (8.9%). He later supported Kibaki’s PNU in the disputed tally and joined the coalition government as vice president in April 2008,” the MP noted.
Barasa concluded his reflection with a pointed observation, suggesting that Raila would have comfortably won the presidency had Kalonzo remained in ODM.
“Had Kalonzo Musyoka stood by Baba, kura 5,232,896 ingepatikana,” he wrote.
His remarks come at a time when old political alliances are once again under public scrutiny, with leaders revisiting past elections to draw lessons from Kenya’s evolving political landscape.