Raila slams govt and parliament for disrespecting constitution
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has criticized the national government and the parliament, accusing them of not respecting the constitution.
Speaking at the Eid Baraza in Mombasa on Saturday, April 5, 2025, Raila slammed the two arms of government, accusing them of undermining devolution.
He lamented that various devolved functions, such as health, were facing challenges due to the failure of the national government to release the funds.
Raila went on to shame the government for launching markets, a function that he argued should be reserved for governors.
MPs building roads
At the same time, Raila put MPs on the spot, wondering why they were receiving allocation for road construction. The former prime minister indicated that MPs should be left to focus on their legislative role.
“Shida tuliyo nayo ni serikali ya juu na hata bunge haiheshimu katiba ndio kwa sababu tukona shida. Hapa tukona zile services ambazo zimegatuliwa: pande ya elimu haijagatuliwa lakini matibabu imegatuliwa,mambo ya miundo misingi imegatuliwa, mambo ya ukulima imegatuliwa na kadhalika,” Raila stated.
“Lakini pesa inabaki Nairobi. Sababu gani serikali ije hapa kujenga soko Mombasa? Soko ya Mombasa inafaa ijengwe na kaunti ya Mombasa, lakini pesa imebaki kule Nairobi.“
“Wagonjwa wakona shida hapa juu pesa ya matibabu inabaki Nairobi,” he added.
“Kwa sababu gani wabunge wawe na pesa ya kutengeneza barabara? Kazi ya wabunge ni kutengeneza sheria Nairobi. Lakini wamekataa kupeana pesa katika serikali za kaunti,” Raila further remarked.
Which loosely translates to: “The biggest problem we have is the national government and parliament not respecting the constitution. We have services which have been devolved: education is not devolved, but health is devolved, infrastructure is devolved as well as agriculture,” he stated.
“But the money remains in Nairobi. Why should the national government build a market here in Mombasa? A market in Mombasa should be built by the Mombasa County government, but the money has remained in Nairobi.”
“Patients are suffering here because money for the health sector remains in Nairobi.”
“Why should MPs have money to build roads? MPs are expected to legislate in Nairobi but they have refused to release money to county governments,” Raila made it clear.
Defends framework with Ruto
Nonetheless, Raila defended the recently signed framework between ODM and UDA. He described the decision as key to allowing the government to work and honour its campaign pledges.
He told Mombasa residents that President William Ruto’s administration committed to eradicating corruption where he opined that those found culpable should be apprehended and charged.
