The year 2025 moved at a fast pace in Kenya’s political landscape, but even faster were the decisions by leaders that left their supporters shocked, hurt, and confused.
While political betrayal is not new in Kenya, the events of this year stood out because of the weight of the personalities involved and the emotional impact on ordinary citizens.
One of the earliest and most debated moments came in March when former Prime Minister Raila Odinga signed a political agreement with President William Ruto at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
One of the earliest and most debated moments came in March when former Prime Minister Raila Odinga signed a political agreement with President William Ruto at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
The deal, which brought together ODM and UDA, introduced a joint agenda focused on dialogue and governance reforms.
However, many Kenyans who had long viewed Raila as a symbol of resistance felt abandoned. To them, the move represented a sharp turn away from years of opposition politics and activism against state excesses.
However, many Kenyans who had long viewed Raila as a symbol of resistance felt abandoned. To them, the move represented a sharp turn away from years of opposition politics and activism against state excesses.
Former allies, including leaders from Azimio la Umoja, openly criticised the agreement, describing it as a betrayal of the people’s struggle.
The discomfort within Raila’s own party was also visible. ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna appeared torn as he read out the agreement, despite having earlier opposed the idea of a broad-based government.
The discomfort within Raila’s own party was also visible. ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna appeared torn as he read out the agreement, despite having earlier opposed the idea of a broad-based government.
His unease reflected the confusion felt by many supporters who were unsure where their leaders now stood.
Later in the year, Raila again found himself at the centre of controversy during Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay.
Later in the year, Raila again found himself at the centre of controversy during Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay.
His call for compensation for victims of protests, made in the presence of the president, angered many young Kenyans.
Critics argued that justice and accountability should come before compensation, especially in cases involving alleged police brutality.
Tensions rose further during the Saba Saba protests when Raila proposed an intergenerational national dialogue to stop demonstrations.
Tensions rose further during the Saba Saba protests when Raila proposed an intergenerational national dialogue to stop demonstrations.
Many young protesters rejected the idea, accusing him of trying to calm the streets instead of pushing for meaningful reforms. The backlash forced him to publicly defend his position.
Public anger was also witnessed in the case of the late blogger Albert Ojwang. When his father accepted money from the president and praised the government, many Kenyans felt the pursuit of justice had been compromised. Sympathy that had once been widespread quickly faded.
Other leaders were not spared from betrayal accusations. Nairobi politics was shaken by Raila’s close association with Governor Johnson Sakaja, which angered supporters backing Embakasi East MP Babu Owino. In response, Babu openly charted his own political path, citing disappointment.
Elsewhere, Gideon Moi angered supporters by abandoning his senatorial bid at the last minute, while Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula shocked voters by switching political camps days before an election.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also maintained that his impeachment was the ultimate political betrayal, promising to tell his side of the story in a future book.
Public anger was also witnessed in the case of the late blogger Albert Ojwang. When his father accepted money from the president and praised the government, many Kenyans felt the pursuit of justice had been compromised. Sympathy that had once been widespread quickly faded.
Other leaders were not spared from betrayal accusations. Nairobi politics was shaken by Raila’s close association with Governor Johnson Sakaja, which angered supporters backing Embakasi East MP Babu Owino. In response, Babu openly charted his own political path, citing disappointment.
Elsewhere, Gideon Moi angered supporters by abandoning his senatorial bid at the last minute, while Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula shocked voters by switching political camps days before an election.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also maintained that his impeachment was the ultimate political betrayal, promising to tell his side of the story in a future book.
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