Karua explains why Raila missed her party launch
Martha Karua, leader of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), has explained why Raila Odinga was not present at the official launch of her new political party.
Speaking in an interview on the night of Thursday, February 27, 2025, Karua revealed that she had not invited the former Prime Minister. Despite their long political history and personal friendship, she made it clear that their political views are no longer aligned.
Karua stated that while she still considers Raila a friend and brother, they are now on different sides politically. She criticized Raila and his party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), for attempting to be part of both the government and the opposition at the same time. She argued that this position is legally and politically problematic.
According to Karua, after an election, any party that wishes to work with the government must sign a formal post-election coalition agreement. However, she accused ODM of bypassing this legal process and instead securing an unofficial arrangement. This, she claimed, allowed the party to enjoy government benefits while still presenting itself as an opposition party.
“I did not invite him. Raila is still my friend and brother, but politically we are not on the same side because, in my understanding, he has one foot in the government and the other in the opposition,” Karua explained.
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“He and his party refused to join the government through the proper process. Instead, they found a way in through the back door, which is against the law. The law states that after elections, any party that wants to join the government must sign a post-election coalition agreement. But ODM did not do this. They are in a ‘come-we-stay’ kind of relationship with the government while still holding positions that should belong to the opposition. These are seats that should have been occupied by Kalonzo Musyoka’s party and other opposition groups in parliament.”
Karua also pointed out that ODM holds positions in key parliamentary oversight committees like the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Public Investments Committee (PIC). She questioned how ODM, with its members benefiting from government positions, could fairly oversee government activities.
“Public Accounts Committee and Public Investments Committee are watchdog committees. They are meant to audit government actions. Can ODM audit itself while being part of the government? If the chair of such a committee belongs to ODM, will they properly audit leaders like Wycliffe Oparanya, Hassan Joho, and Opiyo Wandayi? This has affected our political relationship because we no longer share the same vision for the opposition,” she said.
Karua ruled out any possibility of supporting Raila if he decides to run for the presidency in 2027. However, she stated that he is welcome to return to the opposition if he chooses to.
“I don’t see that happening. If he comes back, he is a Kenyan like all of us. Even if President Ruto decided to leave his ways and join us, he would still be welcome because he is a Kenyan. But as for Raila leading the opposition in another presidential run, I don’t think that will happen,” Karua concluded.
Karua explains why Raila missed her party launch
