By Suleiman Mbatiah
Human rights defenders have called for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s allegations of an attempted military coup against President William Ruto to be treated with utmost seriousness, citing their grave implications for Kenya and the region’s stability.
Dr Isaac Newton Kinity, a former Secretary-General of the Kenya Civil Servants Union, stressed that such claims, if substantiated, demand immediate scrutiny and legal action to safeguard the nation’s democratic integrity.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Nation published last week, Mr Odinga alleged that Kenya narrowly escaped a military takeover on June 25, 2024, following the Gen Z-led invasion of Parliament amid protests over the contentious Finance Bill 2024.
He credited his intervention with averting a coup, claiming that without his political manoeuvring—culminating in a pact with President Ruto—the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) might have seized power.
‘Ruto can be removed through the ballot, but once soldiers get out of the barracks, they never go back,’ Mr Odinga reportedly said, framing his subsequent alliance with the President as a stabilising necessity.
Dr Kinity, speaking yesterday, underscored the gravity of Mr Odinga’s assertions, questioning why it took over eight months for the former Prime Minister to raise the alarm. ‘This is not a matter to be dismissed or taken lightly. A coup—alleged or real—threatens the very foundation of our democracy and the stability of East Africa,” he said.
The current member of the Presidential Advisory Board of the Republican National Committee, USA, also pressed Mr Odinga to disclose specifics, including the identities of those involved and the evidence supporting his claims.
“If this happened, we need transparency and accountability now—not vague statements months later,” he added, urging that those implicated face due legal process to prevent future risks.
The Ministry of Defence, however, moved quickly to discredit the narrative.
In a statement issued on Monday, it lambasted the newspaper for publishing what it described as ‘false, baseless, unfounded, misleading, and reckless’ claims.
The ministry reaffirmed the KDF’s apolitical stance, stating, “The Kenya Defence Forces remain committed to their constitutional mandate and have no involvement in political affairs.”
It accused the media of sensationalism, though Mr Odinga has not publicly disputed the newspaper’s account of his remarks, leaving questions about their veracity unanswered.
Online reactions on Social Media, X, reveal a public grappling with the allegations’ seriousness. One user posted, “If Raila’s coup claim is legit, this is bigger than politics—it’s a national security crisis. We deserve details.”
Another wrote, “Eight months later? Sounds off, but if true, heads must roll.” The discourse reflects growing concern over the potential ramifications of Mr Odinga’s revelations.
Meanwhile, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has seized the moment to renew his criticism of the Ruto-Odinga political alliance, formalised through a March 7, 2025, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Labelling it a ‘civilian coup,’ Mr Omtatah argued that the deal—ushering Mr Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) allies into Cabinet—undermines constitutional governance.
“This handshake isn’t stability; it’s a power grab dressed as unity,” he charged, amplifying the stakes of the unfolding controversy.
Mr Odinga’s claims emerge against a backdrop of lingering unrest in Kenya, fuelled by the Finance Bill 2024 protests and reports of abductions targeting government critics.
His assertion that he prevented a military coup has reignited debate over his alliance with President Ruto, with supporters viewing it as a pragmatic move and detractors questioning its motives.
Dr Kinity, however, insists the focus must shift beyond politics to the rule of law.
“This isn’t about Raila or Ruto—it’s about protecting Kenya. If there’s truth here, justice must prevail through legal channels,” he said.
