Buzeki slams Raila over Bomas Conclave proposal, accuses him of betraying the opposition
By Mabonga Makhanu, July 8, 2025Businessman and former Uasin Gishu gubernatorial candidate Zedekiah ‘Buzeki’ Bundotich has launched a scathing attack on former Prime Minister Raila Odinga over his recent call for a national intergenerational conclave at Bomas of Kenya to address youth grievances.
Buzeki dismissed the proposal, accusing Raila of weakening the opposition and abandoning his oversight role after aligning with the Kenya Kwanza administration. He argued that Raila’s support for a broad-based government had compromised his position as a government critic and left the country without a credible opposition to keep the executive in check.
“Baba, why did you kill OVERSIGHT? You joined the so-called broad-based government yet refused to cede instruments of oversight to Kalonzo/OPPOSITION!!” Buzeki said.
He questioned how Raila could participate in government affairs while still claiming to speak on behalf of ordinary citizens facing economic hardship. Buzeki claimed that Raila’s actions had blurred the line between government and opposition, making it difficult to hold those in power accountable.
He also accused Raila of betraying the 6.9 million Kenyans who voted for him in the 2022 general election by joining hands with the very government he opposed during the campaigns.
”If you’re inside, then who’s outside to check government excesses? You can’t eat with the king and still claim to speak for the hungry. Betrayed 6.9M!! We shall revisit!” he added.
According to Buzeki, the idea of a national dialogue is a distraction from the real issue — the failure of the opposition to perform its constitutional mandate.
Raila’s proposal
This comes after, on July 7, 2025, marking the 35th anniversary of the Saba Saba movement, Raila Odinga, leader of Kenya’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), proposed an “Intergenerational National Conclave” to address Kenya’s deepening socio-political and economic crisis.
Speaking at Serena Hotel in Nairobi after cancelling a planned rally at Kamukunji Grounds due to police roadblocks, Odinga called for an inclusive dialogue involving youth, civil society, religious leaders, professionals, and political actors to tackle issues like police brutality, corruption, youth unemployment, and weak institutions.
He emphasised that the conclave’s outcomes should be subjected to a national referendum, ensuring reforms reflect public will rather than elite interests.