Opiyo Wandayi: Raila desired that this govt succeeds
By Francis Muli, February 24, 2026Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Opiyo Wandayi now says former Prime Minister Raila Odinga Raila Odinga wanted President William Ruto’s government to succeed before his death in October 2025.
Speaking to a local TV station on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Wandayi insisted that Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party members joined the Kenya Kwanza government with Raila’s approval.
“I have no doubt whatsoever that Raila desired that this government succeeds for the benefit of all Kenyans. He willingly allowed members of his party to participate in this government as a way of making a contribution towards the development of this country,” Wandayi said.
Wandayi joined Ruto’s government in the height of anti-government protests in 2024 alongside other ODM party members including Ali Hassan Joho, John Mbadi and Wycliffe Oparanya.
This comes amid claims by Suba South Member of Parliament (MP) Caroli Omondi that the late Raila had distanced himself from certain leaders who joined the broad-based political arrangement, claiming they acted contrary to his wishes.
In an interview on February 18, 2026, Omondi accused some politicians of invoking Raila’s name for convenience in defending their participation in the broad-based formation.
“People are putting words into the mouth of a dead man for convenience,” Omondi said.
“There are people who claim they are in broad-based because of Raila. They went to the broad-based against Raila’s wishes when he was in Dubai, when he directed that they should not join the broad-based.”
Raila loyalists orphaned
Wandayi has further admitted that most Raila loyalists felt orphaned after the political supremo died in India.
“Most of us who were Raila’s political disciples feel orphaned. His passing on was unexpected and so we are still trying to cope with that situation but again, life must go on because we owe it to Kenyans to perpetuate Baba’s legacy by serving Kenyans,” Wandayi stated.
Defending his position as a life member of the ODM party, Wandayi said that cabinet secretaries had every right to be politically active, including defending the governments they serve, politically.
“I am a life member of ODM and continue to participate actively in the affairs of the party. There is this misplaced notion that CSs should not participate in the affairs of political parties. The constitution recognizes that CSs have the right to engage in political affairs,” he said.
“You may choose to call it campaign but the fact is that I have been explaining to Kenyans what the government of President Ruto is doing for them and that if they feel satisfied, they vote for him again.”