BONDO, Kenya – President William Ruto and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta were conspicuously absent from the first anniversary memorial service of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Migwena Cultural Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County, on Thursday, October 15.
Their absence drew attention given their long and complicated political relationships with Raila, which shifted between fierce rivalry, unexpected alliances and cooperation that shaped Kenya’s political landscape until his death on October 15, 2025.
Uhuru And Raila’s Unexpected Handshake
Uhuru and Raila were bitter political opponents during the 2017 General Election, which Raila challenged at the Supreme Court after Uhuru, then serving with Ruto as his deputy, was declared the winner.
The political landscape changed dramatically on March 9, 2018, when Uhuru and Raila publicly embraced on the steps of Harambee House in Nairobi, signalling a truce that became known as the “handshake.”
The agreement followed months of tension after the disputed 2017 election and was preceded by secret talks between the two leaders.
It ushered in a period of cooperation between Uhuru’s administration and Raila’s opposition movement, culminating in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), which proposed wide-ranging constitutional changes.
Uhuru later backed Raila’s presidential bid in the 2022 General Election. However, Raila lost to Ruto, who had fallen out with Uhuru after serving as his deputy during the first term of his presidency.
Ruto And Raila Forge New Political Alliance
Ruto was Raila’s principal rival in the 2022 presidential election, but their relationship shifted following the Gen-Z-led protests against the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
Ruto subsequently reached out to Raila, leading to a political rapprochement that culminated in the formation of the broad-based government, bringing together Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
The partnership gave Raila and his allies a role in government, even as the former Prime Minister maintained that the arrangement was intended to promote national unity and address concerns raised by young Kenyans.
The alliance marked another major turn in Raila’s political journey, following years of opposition to successive administrations and his earlier cooperation with Uhuru.
Ruto-Uhuru Tensions Add To Memorial Spotlight
The absence of both leaders also came amid renewed political tensions between the two former allies.
In recent days, Ruto has accused Uhuru of financing opposition activities, claims the retired President has dismissed.
There had been concerns that the presence of both leaders at the memorial could create political tension given their recent exchanges.
Their absence left the memorial centred on Raila’s legacy and the political alliances and rivalries that defined his decades-long career.
