Karua: Opposition leaders should have been formally recognised during Raila’s burial
By Mabonga Makhanu, October 21, 2025People’s Liberation Party of Kenya party leader Martha Karua has expressed her disappointment over how opposition leaders were treated during the funeral services of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, both at Nyayo Stadium and in Bondo.
Speaking during an interview on a local radio station on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Karua, who deputised Raila Odinga in the 2022 presidential election, said there should have been a formal recognition of opposition leaders during the ceremonies.
According to her, while the government did well to grant Raila a state burial, it was wrong to try to monopolise the event and exclude other political voices.
Watch: Karua slams government for sidelining opposition at Raila’s funeral
She emphasised that Kenya is a multi-party state, and therefore, every state function should reflect inclusivity, as the state represents all citizens, not only those in government.
Karua noted that during the Nyayo Stadium funeral service, members of parliament, diplomats, and dignitaries were formally acknowledged, yet the opposition was completely overlooked.
The situation, she said, was slightly better in Bondo, where Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka took the initiative to mention the names of his fellow opposition leaders, but there was still no formal acknowledgement by the event organisers.
“Kalonzo did mention our names when he was given an opportunity, but they ought to have been formal recognition if time doesn’t allow speeches. We went there to bury Raila, but to fail to give us any note, they took time to recognise members of parliament, diplomats, and dignitaries there. They mentioned everybody, but you want to sort of erase the presence of the opposition at Nyayo Stadium.” Karua says.
Opposition leaders snubbed
The two funeral services, one held on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Nyayo Stadium, and the other on Sunday, October 19, 2025, in Bondo, drew widespread attention.
Many Kenyans criticised the government for failing to recognise opposition leaders, despite Kalonzo Musyoka’s long-standing alliance with Raila, having deputised him twice and supported him in 2022, with a promise of the Prime Cabinet Secretary position.
In Nyayo Stadium, he wasn’t recognised, forcing him to complain later.
Karua stated that despite feeling sidelined, the opposition leaders attended both services out of respect and to honour Raila Odinga’s legacy.