Orange Democratic Movement Party leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, joined President William Ruto at State House for a charter conferring ceremony to Riara University.
The event, which marked the institution’s transition into a fully accredited university, saw the two leaders share a platform in what sparked political curiosity.
With speculation rife over his presence at the event, Raila took the opportunity to clarify that his attendance was purely personal and not politically driven.
Close family ties
In his address, he explained that his appearance was due to family ties with the institution’s founders, Daniel Gachukia and Prof. Eddah Gachukia.
He stated that his son, Raila Odinga Junior, is married to Yvonne Wambui Kibukosya, who was raised by the Gachukia family as a foster child.
According to Raila, this close relationship between the families as in-laws was the primary reason for his presence at the event.
“I know people want to know why I am here. I want to begin by saying I am coming here as a friend and also a relative of the Gachukias. My daughter-in-law Yvonne is a foster child to the Gachukias. Raila Junior is a son-in-law to the Gachukia family, and I am therefore very happy to be here,” Raila stated.
During the ceremony, President Ruto commended the Gachukias for their dedication to education, highlighting their lasting impact on Kenya’s academic sector.
“Their work over the past 50 years has positively shaped Kenya’s teaching and learning landscape, touching thousands of lives and positively affecting the destinies of many,” Ruto said.
To honour their contribution, the president awarded them the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS), a prestigious state commendation.
Raila defends pact with Ruto
A week before the State House event, Raila addressed concerns about his recent agreement with President Ruto, asserting that it was Ruto who approached him, not the other way around.
“Many people are making noise, saying that Raila has gone to Ruto and abandoned them. I have not gone to Ruto; he came to me,” Raila stated at a burial in Kiambu on March 11, 2025.
He emphasized that his core principles remain intact, despite working with Ruto’s administration.
“I have remained steadfast; my stance has not changed. The most important thing since I was born until now is that I have been fighting for the rights of all Kenyans,” he said.
Raila urged Kenyans to give the agreement a chance, emphasizing that the opposition’s core demands were acknowledged in the document signed with Ruto’s administration.
“We have said that sensitive issues remain unaddressed until they are resolved. But they cannot be resolved if people do not come together to talk and look at how things should be,” Raila explained.
He asserted that the agreement presents an opportunity for reform ahead of the next general election.
“You have seen what we have written – all ten items are what we have been demanding, and they have promised to fulfil them. Now we say we are giving them an opportunity to make corrections. The election will come in 2027, and citizens will decide for themselves. But from here until then, we don’t want our citizens to continue suffering,” he stated.
