Raila Criticised Over Threatening To Split Kenya Into Two

Threats by Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga, on Friday, May 26 for secession, which would imply breaking Kenya into two republics, have attracted backlash, with his troops pushing for unity instead.

Renowned lawyer, Professor Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba, tore into the former Prime Minister on Saturday, May 27, alleging that the hunger for power was what was driving his secession calls.

“It is unfortunate that while citizens of goodwill are working towards East Africa (EA) integration and African unity, some Kenyan politicians are discussing secession in their quest for political offices.

“This megalomania must be condemned,” Lumumba slammed Raila.

Constitutional lawyer, Ahmednasir Abdullahi agreed with PLO Lumumba that Raila was making the threats in his alleged thirst for power.

“Cut part of Kenya's territory for me and make me President, Hon Raila pleads with UN,” he commented.

Saitabao Ole Kanchory, Raila's chief agent during the August 2022 General Election, dismissed the push for secession, accusing him and the opposition of failing to take a deeper look into its own issues.

“It takes just one last straw to break the camel's back, instead of identifying that one straw and the damage to the opposition is busy rummaging through the haystack.

“Talking secession months out of tune is simply silly. We want a better Kenya not to leave Kenya,” he responded.

While speaking during a prayer meeting at Wiper Party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka's Yatta Farm in Machakos County, Raila and his allies declared they will on Tuesday, May 30 launch a collection of signatures from Kenyans dissatisfied with President William Ruto’s leadership style to petition the United Nations (UN) into splitting the country into two republics. 

They urged President Ruto to denounce his deputy's narrative on Kenya having shareholders in one week lest they push for self-independence.

'If your deputy has said he will be assessing shares and you have not denied that we want to give you one week to denounce that and if not we will write to the United Nations (UN) to ask for self-determination," he threatened.

President Ruto, during a joint media interview at State House on Sunday, May 14, declined to debunk DP Rigathi Gachagua's remarks and instead directed the press to reach out to the DP for clarification. 

Gachagua in February 2023 declared that the government would prioritise its staunch supporters when making appointments and issuing contracts, sentiments that triggered an uproar across quarters, leading to questions on tribalism, nepotism, and graft. 

“This government is a company that has shares. Some owners have the majority of shares, and those with just a few, while others do not have any. You invested in this government, and you must reap. You sowed, tilled, put manure and irrigated, and now it is time to reap,” the country’s second-in-command boldly stated.

Meanwhile, this is only the second time Raila is calling for secession in his push to hold the government accountable or bow to his demands. In October 2017, he led the push to divide Kenya into two over what he termed as misrule by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“We believe in a united Kenya. We do not support secession, but you have seen the disintegration of countries in Eastern Europe. 

“This debate about self-determination is gaining currency as a result of misgovernance,” he stated then.

On January 30, 2018, Raila swore himself in as the people's president and on March 9, 2018, he entered into the infamous handshake agreement with Uhuru.

Kalonzo Musyoka (Centre) leads a Prayer Meeting at his Yatta Farm in Machakos on Friday, May 26, 2023. /KALONZO MUSYOKA