Ekuru Aukot slams broad-based govt as selfish marriage of convenience
Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot has scoffed at the broad-based government, calling it a selfish marriage of convenience, and accusing ODM leader Raila Odinga of betraying Kenyans for political gain.
In an interview on a local TV station on Thursday, September 4, 2025, Aukot raised concern over what he described as the collapse of genuine opposition in Kenya, accusing some of the country’s most recognisable political figures of abandoning their democratic principles for personal benefit.
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“Now we can see the long political content of the people who have masqueraded or protected themselves as leaders of the opposition, champions of democracy. Kenyans generally agree these people lied to them in 2022 and gave them another round of empty political promises,” he argued.
The criticism comes when President William Ruto and Odinga maintain that the move was good and they do not regret pushing for a broad-based government aimed at national unity. But Aukot argue that the initiative is merely a tactic to absorb opposition leaders and eliminate meaningful checks and balances in governance.
“This is just a marriage of convenience. It is very selfish. It does not have Kenyans in mind. Because of this union, the legislature where MPs sit is now an extension of the Executive,” he warned.
Aukot lamented that the spirit of democratic opposition, oversight, legislation, and true representation has been lost under the current political realignments.
“We once had hope that we could have an opposition that could oversight government, that could legislate pro-people laws and truly represent the people. That hope is now gone,” he added.
Shun legacy politicians?
The Thirdway Alliance leader urged Kenyans to reject recycled political figures and begin demanding real transformational leadership, warning that many politicians prioritise tribal mobilisation and self-interest over national development.
“I am hoping Kenyans will now begin to move away from the same names we have had for so long. When you critically examine these personalities, you see no real transformational impact. They just claim to champion certain causes,” he said.
He also criticised politicians for their shallow engagement with real national issues, accusing them of being more interested in social appearances than addressing the country’s challenges.
“These people do not even read headlines anymore. They go straight to the obituary pages to check where they can appear next,” Aukot quipped.
The lawyer and former presidential candidate voiced particular concern over the state of education in Kenya, highlighting a recent report indicating that 120,309 students are at risk due to poor policy oversight.
“As a parent, I should be more concerned about education. That should be the national conversation, not this political drama,” Aukot emphasised.
