Karua: History will not be rewritten to erase Raila’s sacrifices
Her remarks come amid heightened tension and speculation over a possible rift between Odinga and Siaya Governor James Orengo.
People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has defended former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, asserting that history will not be rewritten to erase his contributions to Kenya’s second liberation.
Her remarks come amid heightened tension and speculation over a possible rift between Odinga and Siaya Governor James Orengo, his long-time ally, following claims that the two are no longer reading from the same script.
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The tension escalated after members of the Luo professional community threatened to sponsor an impeachment motion against Orengo over his criticism of the emerging broad-based government alliance.
The matter became a major talking point on social media platforms on Saturday, April 19, 2025, with some users claiming that Orengo was the only liberation hero from the region, igniting Karua’s response.
In a tweet, Karua dismissed those claims, reiterating the critical roles played by both Odinga and Orengo in Kenya’s pro-democracy struggles.
Well-documented
Although they may differ politically, Karua maintained that Odinga’s contribution to Kenya’s democratic journey is well-documented.
“Even though we differ politically, truth be told, Raila Odinga was an integral part of the 2nd liberation alongside James Orengo and others,” she said.
Karua noted that critics should acknowledge this part of history and the sacrifices Odinga made along the way.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. (Photo: Handout)
“We cannot change history, he was detained, jailed and like James Orengo forced to flee Kenya for a while,” she added.
While Karua did not directly address the alleged fallout between the two veteran politicians, she maintained that differing political positions are part of a healthy democracy. The PLP leader, who was Odinga’s running mate in the 2022 presidential elections, noted that democracy allows space for divergent views and occasional disagreement.
Siaya Governor Orengo has recently come under sharp criticism from a section of the Luo over his remarks that appeared to question the growing relationship between Raila Odinga and President William Ruto.
During the burial of Odinga’s long-time bodyguard, George Oduor, in Siaya County, Orengo declared that he could not be reduced to a government cheerleader.
“I cannot be a praise-singer. We fought for a democratic Constitution where people should speak freely. I urge Kenyans to tell their leaders the truth. This country will go to the dogs again if the kind of language we hear continues,” Orengo said.
His remarks sparked backlash from the Ramogi Professional Caucus, a group of professionals from Nyanza, who accused him of sabotaging the ODM-UDA collaboration.
“We want to tell Siaya Governor James Orengo that we are not happy with his remarks at Oduor’s burial on Saturday. As a community, we are united and fully support the broad-based government. This is the only way we can ensure we develop economically. We cannot be in opposition forever,” RPC Chairperson Joshua Nyamori said.
“If he continues like this, we will even impeach him,” member Polycarp Ochilo added.
In a statement on Friday, Raila, through his spokesperson Dennis Onyango, broke his silence on the matter, appealing for calm among party members and reaffirming his commitment to internal party democracy.
“Mr. Odinga believes the discussions are not unique to ODM and are in line with similar such engagements that have gone on in equally strong parties in established democracies,” the statement read in part.
“It is the position of the Party Leader that at the appropriate time, relevant organs of the party will harmonise the diverse views and come up with a harmonised position on the way forward. Mr. Odinga appeals to ODM members and leaders to exercise decorum, civility, restraint and respect for each other as they debate the current state of affairs and the future of the party.”
Unity call
The ODM leader also assured supporters that the party remains united and focused on the broader national agenda.
Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi also weighed in, insisting that there was no cause for alarm within the Orange party.
“Raila Odinga is our party leader, and what he says is what we follow as a party. We have internal party democracy, and what Orengo is doing is exercising the democracy within ODM,” Osotsi said.
The friction within ODM also played out during the funeral service in Siaya, where ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna clashed with President Ruto over the state of governance.
“Wale ambao wanahusika na kufanya kazi yako ikuwe ngumu, read them the riot act kwa sababu tunajua kazi yako ni ngumu, wasifanye ikuwe ngumu zaidi,” Sifuna told the President during the service at Ramba High School on April 12, 2025.
President Ruto swiftly responded, warning Sifuna to tread carefully when attacking the government.
“Nimeskia Sifuna anaongea na nguvu. Wakati unaongea mambo yangu, Sifuna, ujue mimi ndio mwanzilishi wa ODM so unaenda polepole kidogo,” Ruto said.
“Sisi ndio tulianza hii kitu. Na unajua ukinisukuma sana, nitaitisha mkutano ya founder members wa ODM… tukiitisha hiyo mkutano kukufanyia discipline, sisi ambao tulianza chama. So tuendeni mossmoss.”
Despite the uproar, both Odinga and Orengo are yet to directly address the alleged fallout.
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