Chants of ‘Ruto must go,’ walkouts greet Raila Odinga at Gusii Stadium
Video footage from the event captured the scenes of discontent, marking an unusual reaction in a region that has historically supported Odinga.
What was meant to be a celebratory event at Gusii Stadium in Kisii County on Sunday turned chaotic when Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga was met with jeers, chants and walkouts from sections of the crowd as he addressed attendees during the unveiling of Shabana FC’s new kit.
A section of the crowd heckled him, chanting “Ruto must go!” as he addressed the gathering. The reception came just days after Odinga signed a political agreement with President William Ruto.
As Odinga took the podium to speak, some people in the audience broke into chants of “Ruto must go!” while others were seen exiting the stadium. Video footage from the event captured the scenes of discontent, marking an unusual reaction in a region that has historically supported the opposition leader in past elections.
Odinga, who was accompanied by governors Simba Arati (Kisii), Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), and Governor Ochilo Ayako of Migori, pressed on with his speech despite the disruption. He reassured the audience that his recent political agreement with President William Ruto was aimed at fostering national unity.
“My pact with President Ruto is about bringing Kenyans together,” Odinga said, downplaying the hostility witnessed during the event.
The incident came just two days after Odinga and President Ruto signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Friday, signalling a new political partnership between their respective parties — ODM and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The agreement was hailed by its proponents as a key step towards national cohesion, with President Ruto underscoring the need for unity in governance.
“The unity, stability, and prosperity of this country is not the responsibility of a few; it is the responsibility of all of us, as a nation. While we may have different political persuasions, nobody can fault unity. Nobody can fault equity,” the president said during the signing ceremony.
Odinga echoed these sentiments, emphasising that the partnership was meant to benefit all Kenyans, particularly marginalised groups.
“This unity is not about the two of us. It is for the young people, women, the marginalized...it is for all Kenyans who have felt like they have never been part of Kenya,” he said.
Supporters of the agreement, including UDA officials, praised the leaders for setting aside personal and party interests for the greater good of the nation. Embu County Governor Cecily Mbarire lauded the transparency of the deal.
“Today, we’re reminded yet again that the nation will always remain bigger than individual and party interests. I am happy that we have not signed a document which remains a secret to the people we represent,” Mbarire said.
Despite the mixed reception at Gusii Stadium, Odinga and Ruto’s new political alignment continues to reshape the national political landscape, with both leaders emphasising the importance of unity in governance.
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