Senators clash over Raila’s role in Ruto’s govt
Murang’a and Kisumu senators Joe Nyutu and Tom Ojienda clashed over the role of ODM Party leader, Raila Odinga, in the broad-based government.
In a heated exchange during a live TV interview on Thursday, July 10, 2025, Nyutu observed that President William Ruto was frustrated that, despite having Raila on his side, protests were still happening in the country.
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“The president, in his frustration and anger, does not even know what to do. The reason as to why he is annoyed is because he thought that he could continue violating human rights now that he had Raila Odinga in his box,” Nyutu said.
Raila owned demos
“For a very long time, Raila owned protests and demos; so, the president thought that once he brought Raila onboard in his broad-based government, then Kenyans would never ever again be able to demonstrate against violations of human rights. The president is, however, annoyed that Kenyans are still demonstrating; he is frustrated and he has to shape up,” he added.
Ojienda could, however, take none of it, instead urging Nyutu to desist from mentioning Raila’s name in the discussion.
“Do not mention Raila Odinga in this context because he was neither part of the demonstrations nor does he have the responsibilities of Article 238 (which talks about national security),” Ojienda remarked.
Saba Saba protests
Raila Odinga on Monday, July 7, 2025, failed to address members of the public at the symbolic Jacaranda Grounds during the commemoration of the Saba Saba Day, which orchestrated the return of multi-party democracy in the country.
Raila instead chose to conduct a press conference at a hotel in the city, blaming the barricading of city roads for his no-show.
Nyutu now claims the president is frustrated that, despite having Raila in his corner, the demonstrations are still a threat to national security.
While the protests failed to kick off in Raila’s strongholds and Nyanza backyard, tension remained high in Nairobi City and its satellite towns as well as several parts of the Central Kenya region.
On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Ruto issued a directive to police officers to shoot in the leg protesters who engage in illegal activities like looting and burning down police stations in the country.
