Karua: Raila voiced discomfort with Ruto in our final talk
By Luke Oluoch, December 24, 2025People Liberation Party Leader Martha Karua has opened up on her last conversation with former ODM leader, the late Raila Odinga.
In an interview with a local TV station on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Karua revealed that the ODM leader had voiced discomfort over his association with President William Ruto under the broad-based government arrangement.
Karua holds that Ruto’s presidency still stands on the precipice after Raila’s passing.
“I was not among the people he called while he was in India, but we had talked with him before he travelled out for treatment. I was actually asking whether it doesn’t bother him to be supporting a government that kills its own people. I was urging him to leave William Ruto’s government. I was so sure it would collapse without his support,” she disclosed.
Karua stated that while she did not pressurise Raila into an answer, the ODM leader conveyed concerns in what was their final correspondence with him before he breathed his last on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
Uncomfortable
“I told him I am not seeking an instant answer. But he did say he was very uncomfortable. I was travelling to the US then, around July 8, and he said we would talk when he came back. We did not get the chance, and he got sick and passed on,” she recounted.
Karua, who was among the delegation of politicians who made the trip to Kang’o ka Jaramogi to pay her last respects for the departed leader, had nothing but praise for Raila.
She also spoke about getting the news of Raila’s passing. She stated that she made it a point to offer condolences to Raila’s family on the same day of the tragedy
“It was shocking; I had just landed in Entebbe on my way to Kampala for Besigye’s case. I had to call Raila’s people to confirm it was true. I drafted my condolence message, but the government of Kenya took so long to release the news that I called my people to release the message at 11.
“I headed for Raila’s residence to condole with Mama Ida; I needed to condole on the same day,” she remarked.
“We mourn him, but even more we celebrate him for his lifelong work of fighting for Kenya. Like every human being, he had his own weaknesses, but we remember the great work he and his entire family did, and for that we celebrate him,” she concluded.