The People’s Liberation Party (PLP) boss, Martha Karua, has revealed that she confronted the ODM Party Leader, Raila Odinga, after the Saba Saba protests of 2025.

Speaking to one of the local TV stations on Sunday, October 10, 2025, Karua said that she personally called Raila to question his silence over the deaths of young protesters during the nationwide demonstrations.

Karua explained that the call happened shortly after reports emerged that several young people were killed while protesting against government policies.

She said that as a long-time human rights defender, she was shocked and saddened by Raila’s cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration despite the violent outcome of the protests.

Karua questions Raila’s silence

“I felt disappointed, let down, but because it was his will to work with Ruto, I had to let it go. From there, we differed politically, but we have talked about it three times.

“I do not know if Raila plans to return to the opposition, but after the Saba Saba protests this year, when kids were killed when they were protesting, I took my phone, called him and asked him what happened to him because I left him being a person who advocates for human rights,” Karua said.

Karua added that during the call, she challenged the veteran politician to explain why he had remained silent when citizens were losing their lives during peaceful protests.

She noted that Raila’s alignment with the government had weakened the opposition’s voice and left many Kenyans feeling unrepresented.

“I asked him whether he was aware that if he left Ruto today, the entire government would collapse.

“I asked him why he continued to stay with a person who was ordering the killing of youths protesting,” she stated.

Karua says Raila’s time is done

The former Justice Minister also hinted that she no longer sees Raila as the political force he once was.

Karua said that if the ODM leader wants to return to opposition politics, he should support new leadership instead of trying to reclaim his former role.

“If Raila wants to return to the opposition, let him come and support our own because his time is done,” Karua said firmly.

Her remarks have since drawn mixed reactions across social media, with some Kenyans applauding her courage to speak out, while others urged both leaders to focus on unity and policy-driven politics ahead of the 2027 general election.