Raila Now Blames Ruto For Missing Kamukunji Rally

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has explained why the highly anticipated Kamukunji rally, planned to commemorate this year’s Saba Saba Day, was suddenly called off.

Speaking to the media on Monday, July 7, at Serena Hotel alongside top ODM figures — including Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi, and Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai — the ODM leader said the rally was cancelled because of extensive roadblocks set up at major entry and exit routes in Nairobi.

Raila stated that these roadblocks not only restricted citizens’ freedom of movement but also prevented him and his supporters from reaching the Kamukunji grounds.

"I was going to go to Kamukunji to join other Kenyans in commemorating this very important day. Unfortunately, as you all know circumstances today, road blocks all over town, which has made it difficult for people to move to Kamukunji," he said.

His remarks are viewed as him blaming President William Ruto's government for the frustration of the movement, despite the two having a signed working arrangement.

On Sunday, July 7, during a media briefing, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party stated that the symbolic return to Kamukunji aimed to pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the initial Saba Saba protests 35 years ago.

The announcement marked a major shift from Raila’s earlier position, where he had been sidelined in the demonstrations spearheaded by Generation Z. Previously, the ODM leader had declared that although he would not join the youth-led street protests, he fully supported their push for stronger governance and accountability.

Speaking at a church service over the weekend, Raila condemned the government for trying to silence dissent, especially targeting the youth-led protests that have swept the country in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Raila voiced his frustration over what he saw as the declining purpose of the Saba Saba movement, arguing that it has drifted away from its original mission.

Odinga explained that the movement was initially meant to promote multiparty democracy and unite people against dictatorship, but over the years, its commemorations have lost focus and significance.

"It is regrettable that the recognition and remembrance of Saba Saba has not been consistent in its short history of 35 years. One moment it is important, the next moment it is not.

"On this 35th anniversary of Saba Saba, we decided to remember and set the record straight in its significance, what it was and is and what we ought to do with the foundation it laid for the country," he addressed.

The Saba Saba movement — named after July 7 — is deeply symbolic in Kenya’s democratic history. On that day in 1990, Kenyans marched to demand the introduction of multiparty democracy, ultimately leading to the repeal of Section 2A of the constitution. Before that, Kenya had been a one-party state under President Daniel arap Moi’s KANU regime.

Although the 1990 demonstrations were violently crushed, they eventually opened the door to political reforms and multiparty elections.