Raila said those calling him a betrayer should let history judge – Dennis Onyango
Raila Odinga’s aide Dennis Onyango has revealed that the late Orange Democratic Movement, ODM, leader, was at peace with how history would remember him, even as some people accused him of betrayal.
Onyango, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, said Raila was aware of the criticism he faced but believed that only time and history would tell his true story.
You might also like
Also watch: Kisii residents remember Raila Odinga as a champion of justice
Speaking about his final conversations with Raila before his death on October 15, 2025, Onyango said the ODM leader showed wisdom and calmness in how he viewed his life and legacy.
“He told me he lived his life. I know you are worried about what people are saying about me, the insults, whether I betrayed people, and he told me, those things you are talking about, history will sort out. History will know whether I meant well, so live that out,” Onyango said.
He explained that Raila had already begun organising his life’s work and was focused on documenting his journey.
“We had talked about his collection of his speeches, we had talked about them before…. Please put those speeches together, I will do that,” Onyango said.
Also watch: President Ruto commends Raila’s bodyguard Maurice Ogeta for unwavering loyalty
‘He was working on a biography before his death’
According to Onyango, Raila was in the process of putting together a biography and had already made arrangements for it.
“He was working on a biography; we had started talking about it. He called me the day before, saying the guy who was supposed to do the biography had come. So he told me the guy was coming in at 9, I asked him, Do you want me there, he said yes,” Onyango recalled.
Also watch: Let’s honour Raila’s legacy to move Kenya forward — CS Murkomen
Onyango also shared that he had worked closely with Raila for many years, starting in 2008 when Raila served as Prime Minister.
“I joined Raila in 2008 when he was the Prime Minister. I remember out of the blue, when he was launching his campaign, he wanted me to look at his speech,” he said.
He described Raila as a man who cared deeply about how his story would be told but was not shaken by public criticism.
Onyango said Raila’s final message reflected acceptance and peace, showing that he was ready to be judged by history, not by the emotions of the moment.
