Sossion: Oburu’s benevolent dictatorship advice to Ruto was meant as a joke
By Aloys Michael, July 9, 2026Former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Wilson Sossion has downplayed remarks by Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga urging President William Ruto to embrace what he termed a benevolent dictatorship, saying the comments were intended as a joke and should not be interpreted as a call to abandon democratic governance.
Speaking during an interview on a local TV station on Thursday, July 9, 2026, Sossion said Kenyans should not read too much into Oburu’s statement or view it as an endorsement of autocratic leadership.
“Oburu’s advice to Ruto to embrace a ‘benevolent dictatorship’ was meant as a joke. We shouldn’t take it literally or interpret it to mean that we should shift from democracy to autocracy,” Sossion stated.
Sossion has defended the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), arguing that the phrase was used figuratively to emphasise the need for firm leadership rather than a departure from constitutional democracy.
This even as critics continue to scoff at the utterance, for instance, Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Secretary for Planning and Economic Affairs Peter Mbae has criticised Oburu over his controversial suggestions.
“It is unfortunate that someone like Oburu Odinga, who carries the legacy of the late Raila Odinga, can say something like that. Advising Ruto to embrace a ‘benevolent dictatorship’ is adding fuel to the fire for someone who may already be thinking that way,” Mbae said.
Speaking in an interview on a local TV station on Thursday, July 9, 2026, Mbae said Oburu’s remarks were troubling, particularly because they came from a veteran politician associated with the legacy of the late Raila Odinga, a figure long linked to Kenya’s struggle for democratic reforms and constitutional freedoms.
Oburu defends govt
Speaking after witnessing progress on the proposed Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill at State House on Wednesday, Oburu said leaders must sometimes make difficult decisions that may not be immediately popular but are necessary for the country’s development.
“I encouraged the President to occasionally employ a level of ‘benevolent dictatorship’ to stand firm, cut through the political noise, and make the hard, bold decisions necessary to achieve the absolute best for all Kenyans,” Oburu said.
His remarks quickly attracted attention, with critics questioning whether the call was compatible with Kenya’s democratic values and constitutional order. However, supporters argued that Oburu was merely advocating decisive leadership in the face of political resistance.
Sossion’s intervention is likely to add a new dimension to the discussion, framing the comments as political rhetoric rather than a serious proposal for governance reforms.
Key in Oburu’s argument was the proposed Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill, which he described as one of the most important economic reforms currently under consideration by the government.
According to the senator, the legislation would establish a structured framework for managing Kenya’s national wealth, safeguarding strategic resources and protecting the economy from future financial shocks.
Oburu revealed that his support for the concept dates back several decades, when he first encountered the idea during a visit to Botswana while serving as Assistant Minister for Finance.
Drawing from his economics background, he said he immediately recognised the transformative potential that a sovereign wealth fund could have for Kenya’s long-term development agenda.
The ODM leader argued that the proposed fund would do more than manage public finances. He said it would strengthen fiscal resilience by separating national resources into strategic investment pillars while creating a financial buffer against global economic uncertainties.
“The Sovereign Wealth Fund is specifically designed to cushion our economy from volatile external shocks and unexpected economic downturns, while providing long-term, domestic financing for priority national development projects that will change lives across the country,” Oburu said.
He further noted that the fund would provide sustainable financing for major development projects, reducing dependence on external borrowing and helping the country invest in critical sectors over the long term.