Why Raila was not invited to the PLP party launch; Karua
The People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has shed light on why Raila Odinga was not present at the official launch of her new political party
The People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has shed light on why Raila Odinga was not present at the official launch of her new political party.
Speaking during an interview shortly after the launch on Thursday night, February 27, 2025, Karua clarified that she had not invited the former Prime Minister, despite their long-standing friendship and political history.
Karua acknowledged that while she and Raila remain close on a personal level, their political paths have diverged.
She pointed out that Raila and his party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), are trying to be part of both the government and the opposition at the same time, a move she believes is legally and politically questionable.
She criticized ODM’s approach to governance, arguing that the party had refused to join the government through official channels but instead found a way to collaborate unofficially.
According to Karua, the law dictates that after an election, any party that wants to be part of the government is required to sign a post-election coalition agreement.
However, she claimed ODM avoided this step and instead struck an informal deal that allowed them to enjoy government privileges while still claiming opposition status.
“Sikuwa nimemualika,Raila bado ni ndugu yangu na ni rafiki yangu lakini kisiasa hatuko pande moja kwa sababu vile naelewa ako mguu moja ndani ya serikali na mguu mwengine kwenye upinzani,” Karua stated.
“Yeye na chama chake wamekata kuingia kwa serikali kupitia mlango wa mbele wameingia na ya nyuma kinyume na sheria,sheria inasema baada ya uchaguzi chama ikitak akuingia kwa serikali lazima wafanye post election coalition agreement hao ni come we stay na wanaendelea kukalia viti ambavyo vinatakiwa vikaliwe na upinzani,viti vile ambazo zingekaliwa na chama cha Kalonzo Musyoka na vyama vengine viko bunge vya upinzani.”
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In addition, Karua pointed out ODM’s presence in key parliamentary oversight committees, such as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Public Investments Committee (PIC), questioning whether ODM, which has members benefiting from government appointments, could effectively hold the government accountable.
According to Karua, this situation has significantly weakened their political relationship, making it clear that they no longer share the same vision for the opposition’s role in governance.
“Public accounts committee and Public Investment Committee hizo ni zile watchdog committees, audit committees,sasa ODM inaweza kujiaudit ikiwa ndani ya serikali? chair wa kamati akiwa ni wa ODM ata audit Oparanya, Joho na Opiyo Wandayi? Kwa hivyo uhusiano wa kisiasa umepunguka,”Karua said.
She also dismissed any possibility of supporting Raila if he announces his bid for the 2027 presidency but stated that he is more than welcome to join the opposition if he chooses to.
“Sioni hiyo ikifanyika akija yeye ni mkenya kama sisi ata Ruto akija naaseme amewacha tabia zake bado ni Mkenya mlango itafunguliwa lakini kupeperusha bendera hilo naona ni swala ambalo halita wezakana,”she added.
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