Oburu Odinga Defends Raila, Urges Luhyas to Hold Current Leaders Accountable for Development. In a pointed yet respectful message, veteran politician and elder brother to Raila Odinga, Oburu Odinga, has called on the Luhya community to shift their focus away from opposition leader Raila and instead hold the current government leadership accountable for Western Kenya’s development challenges. Speaking as both a political figure and a self-described “total orphan,” Oburu made an emotional and strategic appeal, challenging narratives that blame Raila for the region’s lack of progress.
In his address, Oburu Odinga emphasized that Raila Amolo Odinga is not part of the ruling administration, despite the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) having some level of representation within government structures. He clarified that while ODM participates in state functions, Raila himself does not wield executive power and therefore should not be the scapegoat for Western Kenya’s underdevelopment.
“Raila Is Not in Government — Ask Those Who Are”
Oburu’s remarks were directed at dissatisfied voices within the Luhya community who have increasingly questioned ODM’s role in delivering regional development. He firmly stated:
“I want to remind my fellow Kenyans from the Luhya community that ODM is not the party in government responsible for delivering development to Western Kenya.”
In a sharp redirection, Oburu named Musalia Mudavadi, the Prime Cabinet Secretary, and Moses Wetang’ula, the National Assembly Speaker, as the rightful individuals the community should be questioning regarding state development delivery. Both hold senior roles in President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration and are among the most powerful Luhya leaders currently in government.
“Ask your representatives, Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula, to account for the region’s fair share of development,” he urged.
A Plea for Respect and Political Clarity
In a tone that mixed political critique with deep familial loyalty, Oburu defended Raila Odinga’s legacy and current status, urging critics to avoid unjust attacks:
“And I say this respectfully: do not raise your voices against my younger brother, Raila Odinga.”
He made it clear that Raila’s role today is not that of a state actor, and that regional grievances should be taken up with those currently occupying key government offices — individuals who have pledged to bring development home and yet, in the view of many, have delivered little.
Oburu also pointed out that ODM continues to shoulder the burden of development in the Nyanza region, despite facing political and financial limitations. “We in ODM are bearing Nyanza’s burdens alone,” he lamented, highlighting how Raila’s base remains loyal and active even as others in the opposition criticize from the sidelines.
Shifting the Narrative: Political Accountability
Oburu Odinga’s comments mark a strategic reframing of the development debate in Western Kenya. By deflecting blame from Raila Odinga, he is reminding the public that real power — and therefore responsibility — lies with those in office, not those out of government.
His remarks also seek to restore unity within ODM’s broader support base, particularly as new political tensions emerge ahead of the 2027 general elections. With regional leaders like Mudavadi and Wetang’ula expected to play crucial roles in Ruto’s reelection campaign, the stakes for development delivery in Western Kenya are higher than ever.
Final Thoughts
Oburu Odinga’s address is more than a defense of his brother — it is a clarion call for political maturity and accountability. In urging the Luhya community to hold their current representatives to account, he spotlights a wider issue in Kenyan politics: the tendency to blame opposition figures for systemic failures, rather than confronting those with actual executive authority.
As 2027 approaches, the people of Western Kenya — and the country at large — will likely weigh these words carefully, choosing whether to continue the blame game or demand tangible action from those truly in power.
