MP Kibagendi refutes claims late Raila was stingy
By Mabonga Makhanu, October 25, 2025Kitutu Chache Member of Parliament (MP) Antony Kibagendi has come out to defend the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga against accusations that he was miserly.
Speaking during an interview on the Alfa House Podcast on Friday, October 25, 2025, Kibagendi said the late leader was unfairly labelled as stingy and incapable of helping others, stressing that Raila was, in fact, a very generous person.
“Yeah. So Raila was a generous man. I had people call him out here, including the current president, when he was demeaning him, saying that he’s stingy, which is not true; Raila was a very generous person. And there’s another student I met who told me Raila paid his school fees one time,” Kibagendi said.
He recalled an incident from their university days when he was preparing for a student leadership campaign and urgently needed funds. Raila had Ksh40,000 in his pocket at the time.
He counted Ksh5,000 into another pocket and gave Kibagendi Ksh35,000 to support his campaign. This was the first time at Maseno University that students handled funds raised through colourful posters, and it highlighted Raila’s generosity and willingness to support young leaders.
Kibagendi added that Raila’s generosity extended far beyond him.
He recalled a student whose school fees were paid by Raila, a woman who received help to cover an air ticket for a scholarship, and even the current Interior Cabinet Secretary Murkomen, who also benefited from Raila’s support.
According to Kibagendi, the late leader consistently taught those around him the importance of giving and helping others.
Kasmuel’s account
These accounts mirror those of activist Kasmuel McOure, who shared his own experience with Raila’s generosity.
McOure said that during a period of financial difficulty, when he was focusing on political activism and struggling to sustain his music career, he visited Raila for breakfast.
The late leader gave him Ksh100,000, which now turned out to be the least sum he ever received from him during their times together.
McOure noted that this gesture came at a critical time when he was behind on rent and other financial obligations.
Kibagendi also slammed President William Ruto for being part of those who have mocked Raila for being stingy in the past.