Raila Odinga’s U-Turn: From Resistance Leader to Ruto’s Ally?

For decades, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has positioned himself as the face of resistance, the champion of the oppressed, and the voice of the voiceless. His political career has been built on the promise of defiance, standing up to governments he deems illegitimate and mobilizing Kenyans to fight against injustice. In 2023, he did just that—rallying millions of frustrated Kenyans under the powerful cry of “Ruto Must Go!” And yes, he was at the forefront, standing on top of his motor vehicle, leading the charge.

But in a dramatic turn of events, the same man who once led protests against President William Ruto is now dismissing the very cause he championed.

From Defiance to Cooperation

In March 2023, Raila stood before the nation, fists clenched and voice fiery, as he declared the start of mass action against Ruto’s government. He called on workers, students, and all Kenyans to rise in peaceful defiance against what he termed an illegitimate regime.

His words were clear, his message unshakable: “We begin telling Ruto and Gachagua that we understand that a caring government cannot emerge from an illegitimate regime like Kenya Kwanza… Ruto must go!”

To the struggling mwananchi, the unemployed youth, the overtaxed business owner, and the exhausted Gen Zs watching their future stolen by skyrocketing living costs, Raila’s defiance was a beacon of hope. At last, someone was standing up against economic oppression. At last, someone was ready to fight.

But now, in March 2025, the same ‘Baba’ who ignited this fire is the one pouring cold water on it.

The Shift in Tone

Speaking at a funeral in Machakos, Raila mocked those calling for Ruto’s removal, dismissing the very movement he once led.

“Mnasema Ruto aende, aende alafu nini ifanyike?” he posed, telling Kenyans to wait until 2027 for the general elections.

For a man who once declared he did not recognize Ruto’s presidency and called for a national uprising, the U-turn is nothing short of political betrayal.

If there is one group Raila’s shift has hurt the most, it is the Gen Z population. The youth who saw him as the last line of defense against a government that continues to suffocate them with high taxes, corruption, and economic hardship now feel abandoned. These are the same young people who risked their safety in 2023 to heed his call for mass action, only for him to later dismiss their struggle as unnecessary noise.

Gen Zs took Raila at his word. They believed in his revolutionary tone. Many lost their lives in the fight for a better Kenya. But just when they needed him most, he switched gears, leaving them leaderless in a fight he initiated. His message in 2023 was “Defy and resist!” but in 2025, he now wants Kenyans to sit still and wait for elections. What changed?

The Political Deal?

So what happened between 2023 and 2025? Why does Odinga suddenly seem comfortable with the very government he once denounced?

Among the various reasons is his involvement in the so-called ‘broad-based government,’ a political arrangement that has seen opposition figures warm up to Ruto’s administration. What Raila once called an “illegitimate regime” has now become a government he is willing to work with.

The ‘betrayal’ became official when President Ruto and Raila signed a political pact at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), committing to work together in one government. The agreement between Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) cemented their cooperation, proving that Raila’s previous hardline stance was nothing more than political theatrics.

What’s even more telling is that this pact comes after Raila failed in his bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship—a bid that Ruto had actively supported. With his ambitions crushed, Raila’s sudden shift towards working with Ruto seems more like an act of political repayment rather than genuine reconciliation.

This is not the first time Raila has called for mass action only to later soften his stance. His history is littered with instances where he led powerful resistance movements, only to later negotiate his way into political deals. The 2018 handshake with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, which saw him abandon his opposition role, is a prime example. And now, history is repeating itself—this time, at the expense of Gen Zs who dared to believe in him.

Public Reaction

During the signing ceremony, Ruto emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “The unity, stability, and prosperity of this country is not the responsibility of a few; it is the responsibility of all of us, as a nation. While we may have different political persuasions, nobody can fault unity. Nobody can fault equity.”

Raila echoed these sentiments, describing the partnership as a move that will benefit all Kenyans, particularly youth, women, and marginalized communities.

“This unity is not about the two of us. It is for the young people, women, the marginalized…it is for all Kenyans who have felt like they have never been part of Kenya,” he said.

But the political shift is already showing signs of backlash. On March 9, Odinga faced an embarrassing moment in Gusii Stadium when he was heckled by residents following his newfound political alliance with Ruto. The same people who once stood by him, cheering him on as the leader of resistance, are now rejecting him. The betrayal is fresh, and Kenyans are clearly not forgetting it anytime soon.

Following his remarks urging Kenyans to wait until 2027, social media was ablaze with criticism from frustrated citizens who felt betrayed. Many Kenyans took to X, formerly Twitter, calling out Raila for abandoning his earlier stance.

“It feels so stupid for Raila Odinga to ask this question. He has forgotten he was the first one to say, ‘Ruto must go,’ while running on the streets with a sufuria on his head. For a long time, Raila never recognized Ruto as president. We ain’t fools,” X user Wesley Doe wrote.

“Jamaa ameshiba! In 2017, he lost the elections and asked his supporters to make the government ungovernable. Only after his bread was buttered did he stop. Same thing in 2022. Dude uses Kenyans to benefit himself,” another user, Cleo Kalekem, remarked.

As Kenyans grapple with betrayal, one thing remains certain: political loyalty is fleeting, but the issues affecting the people endure. Kenyans have seen this script before, but this time, the betrayal stings differently.

In other news:Raila Odinga Claims He Prevented Military Takeover During Gen Z Protests

Raila Odinga’s U-Turn: From Resistance Leader to Ruto’s Ally?