Speaking in an interview with a local media station, Ruth explained that Raila was a very caring and trusting person.
Because of this, a few people around him used his name to gain power and support. She said these individuals often misled the public by claiming that Raila had endorsed them for political positions when he had not.
“What Kenyans and members of ODM should know is that there were people around Raila who took advantage of his caring heart and would declare that he had endorsed them,” Ruth said.
“Raila did not want to hurt anyone, so he would let them have their way.”
Ruth added that when Raila served as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development, he spent much of his time outside Kenya.
During that period, some of his allies made political moves using his name without his approval.
She said Raila focused on both local and international matters, which gave others room to misuse his absence.
Her remarks come at a time when a succession debate has started within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the larger Luo community after Raila’s death.
Leaders are divided on what direction the party should take. Some claim Raila wanted ODM to continue working with President William Ruto’s government ahead of the 2027 elections, while others believe the party should field its own presidential candidate.
Ruth criticized leaders in ODM who are already campaigning for Ruto, saying they misunderstood the idea of a broad-based government.
“You cannot, as a member of ODM in government, start shouting ‘Tutam’ for Ruto. Our focus should be on strengthening ODM ahead of 2027,” she said.
After Raila’s passing, his elder brother and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga was named the acting ODM party leader.
Plans are ongoing to confirm him officially. Ruth urged all ODM members to remain united and protect Raila’s legacy by putting the party’s interests first.
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