Raila Junior decries high cost of living, calls for govt engagement
By Kenneth Mwenda, May 24, 2026Raila Odinga Junior has said many Kenyans are struggling under rising living costs and called for calm, structured talks between citizens and government to address the pressure.
Speaking on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Cathedral of Faith Church in Imara Daima, Nairobi, he said daily life had become harder for ordinary families as prices of basic goods continue to rise.
“These days, life has become a bit difficult. And not a bit – it has become difficult,” said Raila Odinga Jr.
He linked the situation to wider economic pressures but stressed that leaders must avoid confrontation and instead engage in dialogue.
Raila Jr praised his late father, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, for always speaking out when the cost of living rose and for choosing negotiation over conflict.
“Baba was the first to speak when prices of goods increased. But Baba was also a man of peace. He was a man of dialogue. His first thing was not war, it was to talk,” he said.
He told worshippers that even though economic conditions are influenced by global factors, leaders still have a duty to communicate clearly with citizens and avoid worsening public anxiety.
“So even if we talk with the government, we know sometimes things can be difficult abroad. And it affects the prices of goods,” he said. “But when you talk to the people, speak to us with order and peace, because down here we are also being squeezed.”
The remarks come at a time when Kenyans continue to express concern over the cost of food, fuel, and housing, with many households reporting tighter budgets and reduced spending power.
Raila Jr also urged government officials to listen more and respond to public concerns without turning economic issues into political disputes.
His comments build on a series of recent public appearances in which he has taken a more visible role in political and social debates.
Odinga family tensions
On May 17, 2026, speaking at Jacaranda Grounds, he warned against what he described as disrespect toward the Odinga family and called for maturity within political circles. He said leaders should stop using his late father’s name to justify political positions and instead focus on respectful engagement.
He also pushed back against growing tension between government officials and members of his family, including a public exchange involving Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and EALA MP Winnie Odinga. Mbadi defended his record in government and party leadership, while Winnie Odinga criticised the handling of economic issues and warned against politicising the National Treasury.
Raila Jr said such disputes risk distracting leaders from the real problems facing citizens, especially rising living costs and service delivery challenges.
At Imara Daima, however, he kept his focus on economic pressure at the household level and called for restraint in public debate.
He said leaders must balance honesty about economic difficulties with responsibility in how they communicate them to citizens.