Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has hit out at a section of ODM leaders for what he termed as “dishonest claims” about the late Raila Odinga’s alleged political wishes. Speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kitale on October 20, 2025, Natembeya cautioned leaders against using Raila’s name to push personal or political agendas.
“Wacha uongo! Raila didn’t know he was going to die. Stop lying to Kenyans about his last wishes,” Natembeya said. “Raila was an honest man with clear ideals, and deceit was not one of them. If you wish to remain in the Broad-Based Government, say so without using Baba’s name.”
His remarks come just days after Raila’s state funeral in Bondo, where several ODM leaders including Gladys Wanga, John Mbadi, Opiyo Wandayi, Hassan Joho, and Wycliffe Oparanya claimed that Raila had urged them to cooperate with President William Ruto’s administration under the Broad-Based Government framework.
“Baba told us to stay in the Broad-Based Government. He believed in unity,” Mbadi said during the funeral. Wanga also praised Ruto for granting Raila a state burial, urging ODM to honor his “vision of unity.”
Natembeya, however, dismissed these assertions, warning that such statements risk distorting Raila’s legacy. “Every government engaged Raila because of his moral authority. But we must not rewrite his story to suit shifting political ambitions,” he said.
The governor, who recently donated 15 bulls and 15 bags of maize to Raila’s family as part of traditional mourning rites, emphasized that Raila’s legacy was built on justice, equality, and integrity—not political convenience.
Other ODM figures, including Siaya Governor James Orengo, Kisii Governor Simba Arati, and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, have also rejected the Broad-Based Government narrative, urging the party to remain an independent watchdog.
“Let us protect Baba’s legacy,” Natembeya concluded. “His truth belongs to the people of Kenya—not to political convenience.”
