Ruth Odinga Rebukes Brother Raila Over Sakaja’s Impeachment Rescue
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga is facing growing dissent within his own family after his sister, Ruth Odinga, openly opposed his decision to intervene in Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s looming impeachment.
In a strongly worded video circulating online, Ruth Odinga, who previously served as Kisumu Deputy Governor, criticized the move by Raila and President William Ruto to lobby Members of the Nairobi County Assembly (MCAs) against supporting the impeachment motion.
She argued that blocking the process denies Nairobi residents a chance to confront the alleged mismanagement and corruption that have plagued the capital city.
“It is unfortunate for the people of Nairobi not to be allowed to see what is going through their county,” Ruth said. “The impeachment motion was supposed to expose everything wrong in the city. Political leaders coming out to save him from impeachment is totally wrong.”
Her remarks come just days after Raila reportedly convened a meeting with Nairobi ODM MCAs, urging them to halt the impeachment motion against Sakaja.
President Ruto is also said to have held a similar meeting with United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ward representatives, signaling a rare bipartisan consensus aimed at protecting the embattled governor.
But Ruth Odinga, breaking ranks with her brother, insisted that accountability should not be sacrificed for political expediency.
She maintained that Nairobians deserved transparency and that the impeachment motion should have been allowed to proceed in order to lay bare the governor’s record.
“Let the people of Nairobi see for themselves what is happening. If Sakaja is innocent, he will survive the process. But shielding him from facing the assembly is not justice—it is politics,” she added.
The impeachment motion, which had been gaining traction among Nairobi MCAs, accused Governor Sakaja of presiding over corruption scandals, poor service delivery, and failure to manage the city’s finances effectively.
Allegations of inflated contracts, mismanagement of county revenue, and deteriorating infrastructure had placed Sakaja under intense scrutiny.
Observers note that Ruth’s public criticism underscores emerging divisions within ODM and could complicate Raila Odinga’s efforts to maintain unity as the 2027 elections approach.
For years, the Odinga family has symbolized cohesion in political battles, but Ruth’s sharp rebuke now paints a picture of internal disagreements over strategy and principle.
Political analysts suggest that Raila’s intervention to save Sakaja was part of a broader strategy to maintain cordial relations with Ruto’s administration, given the fluid political realignments in the country.
However, Ruth’s remarks reflect the growing dissatisfaction among Kenyans who feel that elite deals often come at the expense of accountability.
“This is a test for Raila,” noted political analyst Peter Ochieng. “Does he prioritize political alliances or the fight against corruption and mismanagement? Ruth’s statements resonate with ordinary Kenyans who are frustrated with poor governance.”
As the debate intensifies, all eyes are now on the Nairobi County Assembly, where the impeachment motion’s fate remains uncertain.
What is clear, however, is that Raila Odinga’s move to shield Sakaja has not only sparked political debate across the country but also stirred an unexpected family rift.
About the Author
