Raila Odinga Claims He Prevented Military Takeover During Gen Z Protests
Kenya was on the verge of military rule during last year’s anti-Finance Bill protests led by Gen Z, according to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Speaking in a recent interview, Odinga claimed that his intervention played a crucial role in preventing a military coup that could have ousted President William Ruto.
Odinga revealed that the government’s decision to deploy the military to quell the protests was a critical miscalculation, one that could have led to soldiers assuming control of the country’s leadership. He warned that once the military intervenes in civilian matters, it rarely returns to the barracks willingly.
“If the military had taken over, then Ruto would not be in power today. Once soldiers leave the barracks, they never go back,” Odinga stated in an interview with Nation.
The opposition leader emphasised that democratic processes should remain the only way to change leadership and that military intervention would have set a dangerous precedent for Kenya’s governance. He argued that his swift actions helped de-escalate tensions, preventing the country from plunging into a constitutional crisis.
De-Escalating the Crisis
Odinga dismissed accusations that he had betrayed the Gen Z protesters, insisting that he attempted to involve youth leaders in dialogue with President Ruto. However, he noted that many young leaders were unwilling to engage, making it difficult to find a peaceful resolution immediately.
“First, we had to put out the fire,” he explained, justifying his approach to calming the situation before addressing underlying issues.
He credited President Ruto for eventually softening his stance by withdrawing the contentious Finance Bill, implementing austerity measures, and dissolving the Cabinet. However, he stressed that the work was far from over, urging the government to address the root causes of the crisis. These include tackling youth grievances, implementing recommendations from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, and revisiting unresolved aspects of the defunct Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
Call for a National Convention
To find long-term solutions, Odinga proposed a national convention that would bring together 3,000 to 5,000 delegates, reflecting Kenya’s diverse demographic composition. He suggested that at least 45% of the seats should be held by youth aged 18 to 35, alongside representatives from different regions, gender groups, civil society, the business community, religious organizations, and professional associations.
The former prime minister reiterated that his cooperation with Ruto was not about power-sharing but about ensuring national stability.
“There is no point in fighting endlessly. The country must move on and address the pressing issues that are affecting Kenyans, such as the high cost of living and corruption,” he stated.
No Formal Alliance with Ruto
Odinga dismissed speculation that his engagement with President Ruto signaled a formal political alliance or a plan to support Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid. He maintained that such claims were being pushed by enthusiastic politicians within his party and did not reflect the official stance of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
While his involvement in recent discussions has sparked mixed reactions, Odinga insists that his focus remains on ensuring that Kenya remains stable, democratic, and responsive to the needs of its people.
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Raila Odinga Claims He Prevented Military Takeover During Gen Z Protests