Wamalwa: Raila has fully left Azimio to back Ruto’s re-election
By Kenneth Mwenda, August 9, 2025Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP–K) leader Eugene Wamalwa has said that ODM leader Raila Odinga has made it clear he has left the Azimio coalition and joined President William Ruto’s broad-based government, paving the way for Ruto’s re-election campaign.
Speaking on Saturday, August 9, 2025, Wamalwa said Raila’s remarks in Homa Bay the previous day confirmed his political shift.
“This day marks the biggest mistake,” Wamalwa said in a statement shared on the party’s X account. “From yesterday in Homa Bay, the campaign for William Ruto’s re-election began, with Raila Odinga making it clear that he left Azimio and joined the broad-based government.”
Wamalwa accused Raila of giving false hope to opposition supporters that he might one day return to lead them against Ruto.
“Today we know Raila will stand with William Ruto in 2027 and beyond,” he added.
Wamalwa questions Sifuna’s stand
He also challenged ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, who recently said he would leave the party if Raila supported Ruto.
“The truth is in the pudding. Unless you eat your own words, Sifuna, Raila is not on the one-term team – he’s on the two-term team,” Wamalwa said.
Raila, speaking in Homa Bay during the burial of veteran politician Phoebe Asiyo, defended his decision to work with Ruto, saying it was necessary to protect Kenya from instability.
“We were forced into this because of the situation at the time. I do not regret what we did. We did it in the best interests of our country,” Raila said.
He warned that Kenya had been on the brink of chaos similar to political collapse in countries like Libya and Egypt.
“There was a very big probability of Kenya deteriorating into a failed state,” he said, criticising those who trivialised the crisis.
Raila urged the coalition government to uphold human rights and improve the welfare of ordinary Kenyans.
“Issues of human rights must be respected, and we must ensure that people live well and that they have food,” he said.
The broad-based government deal between Ruto and Raila was formed during a period of high political tension and street protests over the cost of living. Supporters say it helped avert bloodshed and economic collapse, but critics like Wamalwa argue it has weakened opposition oversight.