Alai castigates Kenyans over insincere celebration of late Raila Odinga
By Luke Oluoch, November 5, 2025Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai has questioned Kenyans’ sincerity in lavishing praise on Raila Odinga after his passing.
Speaking to a local TV on Wednesday, November 3, 2025, Alai observed that many of those now praising the late Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) supremo were hailing the politician for their own selfish interests.
Alai marvelled that people could portray such insincerity to the veteran leader whose enduring influence made him the gravitational centre of Kenyan politics for nearly four decades.
Sudden hero
“Raila suddenly became a hero in people’s eyes because he is dead. Were he to be alive today, he would be used as a scarecrow to make people fear him getting near leadership. The time they supported him, they knew he was a heartbeat away from death,” he stated.
His remarks come after he also weighed in on ODM’s fresh demands to President William Ruto on the basis of their engagement for the 2027 politics.
Alai revealed that he would consider quitting the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party if they persist in their demands to Ruto.
“The DP position cannot be given to you through intimidation. We must not allow people to intimidate the president. Anyone wishing to be made the DP must be humble and come with no conditions,” he stated.
Cease the demands
“We did not support this government, which has given us ministries and other powerful positions like the PSs, and we need to be careful when issuing demands,” he added.
Alai further threatened to consider working with his political nemesis, the Democracy for Citizens Party leader, Rigathi Gachagua, if ODM maintains its position.
“If these demands continue, then I would rather go back and convince Gachagua instead of working with the angels I know in ODM,” he added.
His remarks stemmed from his earlier assertion that ODM leaders must exercise restraint and respect in their political engagements with President Ruto, following an interview where Oburu Odinga alluded to the least position the party would accept from the incumbent regime.