Senate Speaker Jeffah Amason Kingi has refuted assertions that he betrayed the late Raila Odinga when he ditched the Orange Democratic Movement for the Kenya Kwanza faction before the 2022 elections.

Speaking at a public function on Sunday, November 9, 2025, Kingi claimed that he had the blessing of his former boss, who was aware of all his political decisions then.

The then Governor of Kilifi County formally parted ways with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to establish the Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) party.

Kingi publicly confirmed his exit from ODM in January 2022, just before the 2022 general elections, where PAA briefly aligned with Raila’s Azimio la Umoja coalition before shifting to Kenya Kwanza in May 2022.

“For those who think I left ODM and betrayed Raila. Baba knew every step that I was making, and he gave me his blessing,” he said.

He further acknowledged that Raila played a pivotal role in his political journey, crediting him for his achievements in the political arena.

His remarks come after he lauded the brand of politics the former prime minister undertook during his time in the corridors of Kenya’s opposition politics.

Speaking on Saturday, September 6, 2025, the politician urged the current crop of opposition politicians to consider picking up a few lessons from the veteran leader on how he conducted his affairs.

During the event, Kingi decried the constant criticism of the government policies by the opposition politician despite the overwhelming evidence of the progress under the Kenya Kwanza government.

“We were used to strong opposition, which was under Raila. He is now working with Ruto. He left, and he is in broad-based, but the mistake he made that has left the opposition confounded is that he left with the manual, and they are now confused. The manual, which they would put to good use, is not with them.”

“It is the reason they are opposed to everything,” he stated.