Senate Speaker Stuns Kenya’s Opposition—Why They Are ‘Lost Without Raila’s Manual’

In a dramatic appeal today, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi delivered a scathing rebuke to Kenya’s current opposition, accusing them of being rudderless after losing the guiding political playbook once held by Raila Odinga.

Addressing an audience in Kesses (Uasin Gishu County) during a citizens’ empowerment event, Kingi confirmed what has long been whispered behind closed doors: the opposition’s strategies have collapsed now that Raila, once their strategist-in-chief, has defected—by joining forces with President William Ruto.

“He left… and he is in broad-based, but the mistake he made that has left the opposition confounded is that he left with the manual, and they are now confused. The manual… is not with them,” Kingi declared, delivering his message with unmistakable urgency.

The Senate Speaker’s cutting metaphor laid bare deep concerns about the opposition’s survival without Raila’s leadership and political acumen.

A Scorching Critique of Empty Rhetoric.

Kingi didn’t hold back when describing the opposition’s current posture. “We have people who want to contest for the presidency but do not know why they want to do so,” he mocked, branding their vague ambition with the dismissive label “Wantam.” In Kingi’s view, their disjointed criticism of the government—particularly on issues like police brutality commemorations and citizens’ empowerment—is less ideology than confusion.

“It is the reason they are opposed to everything,” he asserted.

Backed by Action, Not Just Words.

The Speaker juxtaposed the opposition’s incoherence with what he framed as tangible government achievements under President Ruto. He highlighted breakthroughs in lowering food prices and rolling out meaningful health reforms through the Social Health Authority.

“The founding father never did that. Kibaki never did it, but Ruto did it,” Kingi emphasized. To doubt Kenya’s upward trajectory under Ruto, he warned, is tantamount to insanity. Challenge Laid BareIn a striking call to action, Kingi urged Kenya’s opposition to reinvent itself—not through empty outrage, but through substance.

“One term is never a policy. Lay down better policy and come face Ruto with something tangible and policies that you can speak of,” he challenged.