Kioni: Azimio will never forgive Raila for 'betrayal'

By Wanderi Kamau

Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni has launched a scathing attack on ODM leader Raila Odinga, accusing him of betraying the Azimio la Umoja coalition by aligning with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.

In a strongly-worded statement, Kioni said the betrayal by Raila is “unforgivable” and has left a permanent rift within the opposition alliance.

Speaking during an interview on Inooro FM’s Keera program on Tuesday night, Kioni did not mince words. He accused Raila of abandoning the coalition at its most critical moment — after leading nationwide anti-government protests in 2023 and 2024 that saw several demonstrators lose their lives.

“Raila’s betrayal to those of us who were in Azimio la Umoja is unforgivable. You can’t jump over to the other side (Kenya Kwanza) when we have led countrywide demonstrations and people have died,” said Kioni. “(Raila) crossed the red line. Such a betrayal is unforgivable.”

‘Raila’s ‘experts’ have achieved nothing’

Kioni criticized Raila’s allies who have since taken up prominent roles in the Kenya Kwanza government, especially in key economic sectors like Energy and Finance. He claimed their presence in government has not translated into any tangible benefits for ordinary Kenyans.

“Raila’s ‘experts’ have contributed nothing in improving the country’s economic situation, despite them being in key sectors such as Energy and Finance,” Kioni said. “Fuel prices are still high at an average of Sh174 per litre of petrol. Kenyans are still lamenting that they cannot access electricity. There’s nothing to show for their presence in government.”

Raila was the leader of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition, which brought together several opposition parties in the 2022 elections, including Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Democratic Movement, Martha Karua’s Narc-Kenya (now rebranded as the People’s Liberation Party), and Eugene Wamalwa’s Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K).

However, both Karua and Wamalwa have since severed ties with Azimio, citing disagreements over the coalition’s direction and Raila’s growing closeness to the Ruto administration.

The coalition was initially formed to present a united front against the then Deputy President William Ruto, who eventually clinched the presidency.

But since the elections, Azimio has struggled to maintain its unity, with growing discontent over Raila’s perceived drift towards the ruling administration.