Mumias East Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Salasya has criticised former prime minister and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga, expressing hope that he secures the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship position to keep him away from Kenyan politics.

Speaking on Monday, January 27, 2025, during the launch of the Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) headquarters, the outspoken first-term legislator voiced his dissatisfaction with ODM’s recent political moves, particularly its alignment with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government.

Salasya expressed his frustration over ODM members speaking at a recent event hosted by Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

Speaking directly to Musyoka, who was present at the DAP-K launch, he advised against allowing ODM leaders to discuss their party during such gatherings.

“Politics has a lot of confusion. If I were a minister there, I would have grabbed the microphone from them. You can’t come to our meeting and start talking about ODM matters. That thing has hurt me, I haven’t slept,” Salasya said.

“I want to ask Kenyans, don’t let the enemy come and confuse you. That person comes to talk about ODM in your party yet we have already buried ODM. I’ve just said on the radio where I came from, I told them I’m praying for Raila Odinga to get that chairman position he’s seeking so that he doesn’t come to confuse us Kenyans.”

Leaders present

The DAP-K event attracted significant political figures, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was accompanied by his allies including Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba and former Laikipia Woman Representative Cate Waruguru.

Other notable attendees included Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa, Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, former Kirinyaga Governor Ferdinand Waititu, former United Democratic Alliance Party Secretary General Cleophas Malala, and Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, along with DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa.

The launch focused heavily on succession politics, with leaders calling for unity to challenge the current administration.

During the event, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba urged Gachagua, Kalonzo, and Wamalwa to strategize for defeating President Ruto in 2027, criticizing the Kenya Kwanza regime for making life difficult and adversely affecting the education system by introducing the new University Funding Model.

Senator Thang’wa on his part criticized President Ruto’s administration for failing to fulfill campaign promises, while Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo raised concerns about police unresponsiveness in the case of the missing Mlolongo four.