Raila: I stopped Ruto’s regime from falling under military rule during Gen Z protests
He explained that the government’s decision to call in the military to quell the protests was a grave mistake that could have resulted in soldiers assuming control of the country’s leadership.
Kenya was on the brink of military rule, according to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who now claims that his intervention saved President William Ruto from a coup.
Odinga, speaking during an interview, revealed that the deployment of the military during the anti-Finance Bill protests by Gen Z last year could have spiralled into a full-blown crisis, with the army potentially seizing power.
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He disclosed that he had to step in to prevent what he described as an imminent military takeover. He explained that the government’s decision to call in the military to quell the protests was a grave mistake that could have resulted in soldiers assuming control of the country’s leadership.
“If the military had taken over, then Ruto would not be in power today. Once soldiers leave the barracks, they never go back,” Odinga told Nation.
Odinga emphasised that democratic processes should be the only way to change leadership and not through military intervention. He cautioned that allowing the military to get involved in civilian matters set a dangerous precedent that could destabilise the nation.
He further explained that his intervention helped de-escalate tensions and prevented the country from plunging into a constitutional crisis, as the protests had rapidly evolved into a wider rebellion against the government.
“The country was on the brink. If the protests had continued the way they were, the military would have taken over, and that would have been the end of civilian rule,” he added.
Odinga also dismissed claims that he betrayed the Gen Z protesters, asserting that he made efforts to involve youth leaders in discussions with President Ruto, but they were unwilling to engage. His priority, he said, was to first de-escalate the crisis before addressing the underlying issues.
“First, we had to put out the fire,” Odinga explained.
President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga at State House, Mombasa on February 24, 2025. (Photo: PCS)
Backed down
He credited Ruto for eventually backing down from his initial hardline position by withdrawing the controversial Finance Bill, implementing austerity measures, and dissolving the Cabinet.
However, he stressed that the next step should be resolving the root causes of the crisis, including addressing Gen Z grievances, implementing recommendations from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, and even revisiting unresolved matters from the defunct Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) that he co-sponsored with former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
To facilitate this, Odinga proposed a national convention comprising 3,000 to 5,000 delegates that would reflect Kenya’s demographic composition. He suggested that youth aged 18 to 35 should hold at least 45 per cent of the seats, with additional representation ensuring regional balance, gender equality, and inclusion of key stakeholders such as civil society, the business community, religious organizations, and professional groups.
The opposition leader also addressed critics questioning his recent cooperation with President Ruto, arguing that national stability and unity should take precedence over political rivalries.
“There is no point in fighting endlessly. The country must move on and address the pressing issues that are affecting Kenyans, such as the high cost of living and corruption,” Odinga said.
He rejected claims that his engagement with Ruto was about power-sharing, emphasising that he has not taken up any government position. However, he acknowledged that his influence has attracted individuals and groups lobbying for various positions.
He further dismissed speculation that his cooperation with Ruto is a precursor to a formal alliance or a move to support the president’s 2027 re-election bid. He insisted that such claims are being pushed by a few enthusiastic politicians within his party and do not reflect the official stance of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
“Those are over-enthusiastic MPs enjoying themselves. What they are saying has no relevance to our party position. ODM has never passed a resolution to support Ruto in 2027,” he said.
Odinga further stressed the need for both the government and opposition to prioritise solutions over political divisions, arguing that economic hardships, corruption, and governance issues were more pressing than personal political battles.
His claims come at a time when President Ruto is conducting nationwide tours to bolster his administration’s support amid growing discontent over unfulfilled election promises and economic difficulties.
The president’s decision to engage Odinga in dialogue has been met with mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a strategic move to stabilise the political landscape, while others remain sceptical about its long-term impact.
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