Raila joins Ruto at State House for Uzima University charter award
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga made a notable appearance at State House, Nairobi, on Thursday, May 8, 2025, joining President William Ruto for the official charter award ceremony of Uzima University.
The ceremony, attended by key government officials and education stakeholders, saw the President present the university with the legal instrument conferring full accreditation.
The presence of Raila Odinga at the event drew significant attention from netizens, especially following his recent heated defence of his side-by-side appearance with the president during the Co-operative University charter award ceremony on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
But according to Ruto, the event was entirely non-political, and the ODM leader had attended to support him in championing reforms that will enable the Kenyan education sector to grow and play a pivotal role in addressing the nation’s infrastructure challenges and enhancing the quality of training and research.
“We are pursuing bold, creative, and targeted reforms in the education sector to expand access, reform the curriculum, address funding challenges, improve infrastructure, and enhance the quality of training and research,” Ruto said in a statement on X.
He further emphasised the critical role of education in national development, stating that a robust education sector will be essential for Kenya’s prosperity and its efforts to lead more inclusive growth.
“A strong education sector is essential for inclusive development and shared prosperity as we build the necessary human capital and foster research and innovation.”
The event was also attended by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, and Uzima University founder, Archbishop Emeritus Zacchaeus Okoth.
Located in Kisumu, Uzima University has long been known for its focus on health sciences and medical training. The charter now grants the institution full autonomy to operate as a fully-fledged university, with the authority to offer degrees, develop its governance structures, and expand academic programmes.
Reason for joining Ruto
Earlier on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the former prime minister defended his unexpected presence at a Co-operative University of Kenya function alongside President William Ruto, dismissing any political undertones surrounding his attendance.
Speaking during the installation ceremony of the University’s new chancellor, Dr Bernard William Chitunga, Raila described himself as a gatecrasher who came at the invitation of his daughter, Rosemary Odinga.
“I came actually at the invitation of one of the guests here, my daughter Rosemary Odinga, who had been invited to come here. So, like I’m a gate crasher—but this is Lang’ata, which is home—so I’m very happy to be here,” Raila told the audience, drawing laughter and applause.
He went on to congratulate the newly installed chancellor, Dr Chitunga, praising him as a forward-thinking leader whose approach could help drive national progress.
“Since I came here seen very many interesting and exciting things. We talk all the time about development, but it doesn’t come on its own. It must be initiated,” Raila stated.
Focus on economic development
Avoiding political commentary, Raila’s speech centred on economic transformation, the fight against poverty, and the critical role of cooperative societies in national development.
The ODM leader underscored the importance of nurturing a savings culture through cooperatives, calling them a powerful force for societal change and wealth creation.
“The cooperative movement in the world has been a very major force for the transformation of societies. It is one that has been used to actually fight poverty around the world because cooperative actually promotes saving, and saving is very important in terms of wealth creation,” he said.
