Dagoretti North Member of Parliament (MP) Beatrice Elachi has praised Raila Odinga for prioritizing the unity of the nation over an opportunity to ascend to power during the tumultuous Gen Z protests earlier this year.
Reflecting on the events of June 25, 2024, when thousands of protesters stormed Parliament in opposition to the controversial Finance Bill 2024, Elachi acknowledged that Raila could have exploited the chaos to claim power.
Instead, Elachi says, Raila chose a path of restraint, prioritizing national stability.
“I think I need to thank his Excellency Baba Raila Amollo Odinga for just making the country move on. Because if he was a person who really needed power, he had that time to take over and do many things after 25th of June. But if he stood firm and said ‘unity is important for the country’, then let us respect just that,” Elachi said.
She further added, “So let us first ask ourselves after this unity that came in on 25th of June, is it important for us to see the economy of the country now settled and grew. Because I think that is what everyone is looking for.”
Looking forward, Elachi expressed hope for a calm and prosperous 2025.
“I think that is what we are praying all of us for God’s grace that in 2025 we want to see a calm country and a country that now starts picking up after the two years that we have seen so much drama which I don’t think any Kenyan would wish to remember,” she said.
Gen Z protests
On June 18, 2024, protests erupted across the country in response to the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
Dubbed the Gen Z protests or #RejectFinanceBill2024, the demonstrations disrupted political and social order, fueled by widespread anger over proposed tax hikes on fuel, housing, and wages.
On June 25, 2024, thousands of protesters stormed the Parliament building, opposing the passage of the controversial Finance Bill 2024 amidst widespread unrest over proposed tax hikes.
On June 26, 2024, President William Ruto addressed the nation, announcing his decision to withhold signing the bill into law due to its unpopularity.
In the aftermath of the protests, Ruto dismissed his entire cabinet on July 11, 2024, retaining only Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
The move followed a handshake agreement between Ruto and Raila Odinga.
Subsequently, six of the former Cabinet Secretaries were reappointed to different roles within the reshuffled cabinet.
By July 19 and July 24, Ruto had also appointed five members of Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to his cabinet, a move that ultimately quelled the Gen Z protests.
These appointments sparked celebrations in regions that had previously been hotspots for anti-government demonstrations.
Ruto praises Raila
Following the handshake deal, President Ruto received a warm reception in Raila’s stronghold of Nyanza during his four-day tour in August.
It marked Ruto’s first visit to the region since forming a broad-based government that included top ODM officials.
This visit, the first time Ruto was warmly received in the region, saw thousands of ODM supporters attending rallies in Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori and Siaya counties.
During the rallies, Ruto launched multi-billion-shilling projects aimed at enhancing food security, the blue economy, and health in the region.
“No part of Kenya will be left out in national development for political or ethnic reasons,” Ruto told opposition supporters in Kisumu.
During the tour, Ruto repeatedly praised Raila for his role in stabilizing and uniting the country after the protests.
“Raila is a Kenyan patriot and a great leader. He agreed to put aside our differences to unite our country,” Ruto said.
Speaking to a cheering crowd in Siaya County, Raila’s home turf, Ruto hinted at a 2027 political alliance.
“After three years, we will all be in government. Other people will lead the opposition,” he said.
Kondele
Ruto reiterated his praise for Raila during his most recent visit to Kisumu on November 27, 2024.
While addressing residents of Kondele, Ruto openly acknowledged Raila’s support, highlighting how his former political rival had stepped up to assist him.
Without elaborating on the specifics of the support provided, the head of state affirmed his commitment to working alongside Raila to foster unity in Kenya.
“Raila and I agreed to work together. You know there was a time I helped Raila, and this time around he has helped me. Why should anyone have a problem with that?” Ruto said.
