Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi has criticized Kenyans who are calling for Raila Odinga to stand up for them, stating that the ODM leader has given up the fight.
“Raila has spent his life battling oppressive, retrogressive, and dictatorial regimes on behalf of Kenyans. In return, he has faced vile abuse, unexplained extreme hatred, ethnically mobilized opposition, and has been denied a chance to lead five times,” Amisi said.
He pointed out that the same group now calling for Raila’s opposition to government excesses failed to support him during his struggles.
“He has given up on you. Yes, I am telling you to get prepared. You are on your own. You will cry for Baba, but you won’t see him. Young leaders have risen up and tried to take risks on the streets, but they do not receive the much-needed support,” Amisi added.
Amisi urged the public to start supporting the emerging leaders who are currently at the forefront of advocating for fairness in the country.
This follows Raila’s recent endorsement of the Indian conglomerate Adani Group, which he described as a reputable company. Raila cautioned that its name should not be tarnished. Speaking on Sunday, October 13, 2024, after the ODM party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Mombasa, he stated that the government was correct to engage the private sector in developing key infrastructure to maintain Kenya’s regional competitiveness.
Reflecting on the Adani project, Raila recalled an invitation from India’s current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was then the Chief Minister of Gujarat, during which he was introduced to Adani. He noted that the conglomerate has successfully delivered major projects in India and abroad, and mentioned that the Kenyan government had identified Adani as early as 2010.
On October 9, 2024, Adani signed a Ksh96 billion deal with the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO), agreeing to build and upgrade four electricity lines to meet Kenya’s growing energy demands. The company is also poised to take over the management of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for the next 30 years, focusing on infrastructure development and financial management.
While some Kenyans have urged Raila to renew his push for transparent leadership, the former Prime Minister has taken a more state-aligned stance. He is reportedly relying on the current government to support his bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship in February 2025, when the continent’s heads of state will vote for the next leader during the summit in Addis Ababa.
