Political turncoats: Raila's allies massive shift to Ruto's hardliners

If the phrase ‘two-faced’ was an award, several allies of ODM leader Raila Odinga would be clutching their medals of honour with broad, cheeky smiles as they enjoy the flair that comes with government power.

They are the group that has made a sharp U-turn to throw their weight in support of policies and unconstitutional dealings that they once loathed and were ready to take a bullet to reject.

But times have changed. They have learned their lesson. They see no evil, hear no evil, but embrace it and participate in it, and urge others to join in close tow.

With the clock ticking rapidly towards the 2027 general elections, several politicians allied to Raila have turned into part of President Ruto’s reelection campaign team and the strongest defenders of his policies.

They are painting a rosy picture of an economy in an upward trajectory and are quick to launch strong criticisms against anyone they deem a critic of their political union.

The group includes Cabinet Secretaries who joined the government last year to help Ruto steady his ship, or so they say, as well as ODM stalwarts whose messages have shifted rapidly, from criticisms and quotes from the Constitution to praise and worship.

They are quick to take on anyone who talks ill of President Ruto’s regime’s weaknesses and are also quick to splash millions in support of the ongoing handout drive themed as economic empowerment projects.

This development is a stark contrast to what Raila and his allies stood for in the build-up to the 2022 elections, where Ruto’s freebies to churches attracted heavy criticisms from them.

Some experts, however, believe Raila’s allies’ entry into the Cabinet was a political fraud which has turned into a bottomless political windsock swaying in whatever direction the wind decides to face.

But amidst this cloud of turncoatry lies a heavy fog of doubt in the minds of Kenyans as the few who scaled the heights to join President William Ruto’s Cabinet struggle to steady the economy.

Instead, CSs John Mbadi (Treasury), Wycliffe Oparanya (Co-operatives), Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy), and Opiyo Wandayi (Energy) have shifted their focus to Ruto’s reelection campaign, defending his administration with grit.

Their messaging is potent, and criticisms against the opposition are loud and clear. In Nyanza, for instance, Mbadi and Wandayi have sustained incursions in the region as they intensify their bid to rally the region to support President Ruto’s administration.

According to observers, only CS Mbadi appears to be working and has not been consumed entirely by reelection campaigns.

“Mbadi still dabbles in politics, but at least he’s present and vocal. The same cannot be said of the others, who have largely disappeared,” says political analyst and commentator Barack Muluka.

Resumed politicking

According to Muluka, Mbadi has been vocal about key Treasury matters: Budget, funding education, and stabilizing the economy, but comes under attack from his fellow Cabinet members when he makes strong statements.

Mbadi, who had been hailed as a financial expert and a tactician who could lead the country’s major economic transformation, has been forced to eat back his words amid teething problems.

This week alone, his admission that the country lacked enough funds to properly fund education resulted in chaos as government insiders moved swiftly to clean up the mess by clarifying that they will not increase school fees.

Speaking at a fundraiser for Ndhiwa Jua Kali Sacco in Ndhiwa town on Friday, Mbadi resumed politicking as he criticized former president Uhuru Kenyatta after he was spotted at the lawns of State House in the company of Ruto.

Mbadi argued that Uhuru was insincere with his promise to Raila and claimed he cannot help Raila win the presidency, as he rallied residents to back Ruto for a second term. 

“I remember very well that Uhuru promised us the presidency when he had the instruments of power. But he handed power to Ruto in our presence. If he was sincere, he ought to have done it that time,” Mbadi said.

He argued that Ruto is the only candidate who can help Nyanza residents to form the next government.

“It is clear that Ruto is the only candidate who can make us form the next government if we support him,” Mbadi said.

But he is not alone. His other colleagues in Cabinet, as well as Azimio stalwarts who once equated Ruto and his policies to the worst thing ever to happen to the country, are rallying support for their union.

Backed by a flock of allies bleating in support in the background and training their political machinery to anyone criticizing the broad-based government arrangement, the journey to defend President Ruto’s regime is on and unabated.

Energy sector

Years of loyalty to the Constitution have turned into backroom dealings and a fresh attempt to recreate regional feuds to alienate the opposition led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Trade and Investments CS Lee Kinyanjui, for instance, who once elated Kenyans with cryptic social media posts defending the Constitution and rumbling against misrule, is now among the strongest defenders of Kenya Kwanza’s policies.

Kinyanjui’s social media posts defending constitutionalism have disappeared. Instead, they have been replaced by praises of what was once a stain.

In Wandayi’s energy sector, as he leads an onslaught against critics and a Ruto-reelection campaign agenda, the cost of fuel at the pumps is increasing, with experts warning that it could rise further in the coming months. This, despite reports at the global stage indicating that world fuel prices are on a decline.

It remains to be seen how a man who is nicknamed “Intellectual” in ODM’s circles will turn the ship around against the fuel-pricing storm, which has a direct implication on the cost of living.

In the last few months, Wandayi has been among State officers who have gone full-throttle to rally residents to support Ruto’s second term.

Last Sunday, he chided the opposition, accusing it of inciting the youth with the hope of seizing the presidency through protests and threats.

“God gives leadership. President Ruto was elected lawfully and is God-chosen. As Christians and citizens, we must respect that and give him time to govern,” said Wandayi.

Wandayi, who had attended a Sunday service and fundraising event at St Francis of Assisi Riwo Catholic Church in Kisumu County, told the opposition to exercise patience and wait for the next election cycle.

Others who are now singing the opposite of what they once criticized are Homa Bay governor and ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed who led in mocking Ruto’s style of leadership during the Azimio campaigns.

Others are fiery Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina and former Laikipia governor Nderitu Muriithi.

Joho, who once declared that he can never meet Ruto, is among those seeking to entrench Ruto’s support at the Coast as they push for his reelection.

Joho and Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir, who were once among Ruto’s fiercest critics, have launched President Ruto’s re-election campaigns at the Coast.

In his latest defence of Ruto, Joho cautioned Coast residents against being courted by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and the opposition, terming it a tribal grouping.

He said Gachagua and the brigade had no interest in the Coast at heart and would not save them from poverty and marginalisation.

Joho claims that President Ruto wants every community to get equal rights, and that is why he is fully behind him.

Analysts, however, believe that the populism being driven by the politicians is part of an agenda to win more hearts to support Ruto. They claim the shift by the politicians is not surprising.

Charles Nyambuga, a political communications expert at Maseno University, says the technocrats who joined Ruto’s Cabinet have not done much.

“The only one who has somewhat managed to carve a personal identity is Mbadi. He is vocal, consultative, and has embraced a participatory approach, especially when it comes to matters of taxation,” says Dr Nyambuga.

Additional reporting by Rogers Otiso