Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has called on ODM leader Raila Odinga to gracefully exit the political scene and allow a new generation of leaders to take charge. Speaking on May 5, 2025, during a talk show, Onyonka praised Raila’s immense contribution to Kenya’s political landscape but asserted that it is now time for the veteran politician to take a bow.
“Raila has played a role that cannot be erased. But a good player must know when to leave the dance floor,” Onyonka said, emphasizing that Raila’s legacy in promoting democracy and social justice is firmly secured.
Onyonka, once a close ally of Raila for over three decades, cited the ODM leader’s recent cooperation with President William Ruto as a major reason for their political split. ODM recently signed a cooperation agreement with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), a move that has divided opinion within the opposition.
“I have had a special relationship with Raila for over 30 years. He is part of my lifetime. But at this point, the people who elected me my community, young Kenyans, and the country feel that Raila should have held his fire without necessarily teaming up with the government,” Onyonka stated.
The senator warned that Raila risks tainting his legacy by repeating the mistakes of the 2018 handshake with then-President Uhuru Kenyatta, which, he argued, burdened the ODM leader with political baggage and alienated part of his support base.
Despite breaking ranks with Raila, Onyonka dismissed calls to resign from ODM or seek a fresh mandate through a by-election. “There’s no need to waste public resources on a by-election I would win overwhelmingly,” he said.
Onyonka has since emerged as a key supporter of former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i’s presidential bid. On May 4, he accompanied Matiang’i to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Wamunyoro home, signaling growing alliances aimed at shaping Kenya’s 2027 political landscape.
With his open rebuke of Raila’s continued political presence, Onyonka positions himself as a leading voice for generational change in Kenya’s opposition politics.
