Former Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera has publicly accused Raila Odinga of betraying his legacy as a human rights defender by remaining silent over the suspicious death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody. Nyakera said Raila’s silence marks a dangerous shift in character—from a champion of the oppressed to an enabler of state brutality. He claims Raila's newfound alliance with the Kenya Kwanza government has silenced his once-powerful voice. The betrayal, he warns, could cost the country dearly. Kenya now stands at a crossroads. The silence of influential leaders is enabling state excesses to grow unchecked. Nyakera’s warning is clear—if leaders like Raila will not speak up, then they will be remembered not for what they fought for, but for what they allowed to happen in silence. [Photo: Courtesy] Raila Betrayal Over Ojwang's Death Sparks National Outcry Irungu Nyakera did not mince words. In a stinging post on his official X account, the former Murang’a gubernatorial candidate tore into the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, accusing him of cowardice, complacency, and betrayal.
“Bold Raila once called out rogue police for killing innocent children. Today, he is eating silently as a principal in this murderous regime,” Nyakera wrote.
His statement follows national anger over the death of Albert Ojwang, a young teacher and social media influencer who died mysteriously while in police custody. Though details surrounding his death remain unclear, preliminary reports suggest Ojwang may have been tortured. His family, friends, and civil rights groups are demanding answers.
Nyakera argues that Raila’s silence in the aftermath of Ojwang’s death reflects a leader who has lost touch with the people he once claimed to defend. “Raila has gone from standing up for the right to life to silencing the likes of Gladys Wanga, who are speaking out against extrajudicial killings. What a betrayal,” he added.
Wanga, the Homa Bay Governor and ODM Chairperson, has been one of the few high-profile leaders to condemn police brutality publicly. She demanded justice for Ojwang and other victims and warned that Kenya risks returning to dark days if extrajudicial killings are not stopped. Nyakera Accuses Raila of Abandoning His Legacy Nyakera's outrage is not just about Raila’s silence; it’s about what it represents. According to him, the former Prime Minister has abandoned the very foundation upon which his political career was built—defending the voiceless.
“Raila once stood on podiums to shout against injustice. He now whispers from boardrooms while Kenyans are beaten, tortured, and murdered,” Nyakera said.
He believes the reason for Raila's silence lies in his recent political partnership with President William Ruto under the so-called "broad-based government." The handshake-era unity between opposition and government, he claims, has turned watchdogs into lapdogs.
This alliance, Nyakera argues, has muted Raila’s criticism, limiting him to vague statements and symbolic gestures rather than action. Even in cases as disturbing as Ojwang’s death, Raila has not organised mass action, called for independent investigations, or mobilised public outrage—moves that once defined his leadership style.
And Nyakera isn’t alone in this criticism. Many young Kenyans, especially from Generation Z, feel betrayed by a political elite that has closed ranks while ordinary citizens pay the price for their silence. Raila Issues Mild Condemnation but Avoids Direct Challenge To be fair, Raila Odinga has not remained completely silent. In a statement last week, he said Ojwang’s death was part of a “disturbing pattern” of police brutality targeting the youth and warned that such violence would erode public trust in both the police and the state.
However, critics say his remarks were lukewarm at best—devoid of the passion and urgency that once defined his resistance politics. There was no call for protests. No demand for resignations. No fiery speech on national TV.
Instead, Raila’s comments read more like an obligatory statement, designed to show concern without rocking the political boat. For Irungu Nyakera and others, this is not the Raila they knew.
“This betrayal cuts deeper because it comes from someone who built his name fighting exactly this kind of violence,” Nyakera said.
The former PS also raised concerns that voices within ODM who still dare to speak out—like Wanga—are being sidelined or silenced to protect the party’s delicate relationship with the government.