By: MKT Correspondent
Politics in Kenya has never been short of drama, but the latest skirmish involving former President Uhuru Kenyatta, ODM heavyweights, and Moses Kuria’s sharp rebuke of Fred Matiangi and Jeremiah Kioni reveals a deeper crisis of loyalty, silence, and shifting allegiances. Kuria, once a close economic adviser to Uhuru, took to social media to question why Matiangi and Kioni—figures long associated with the former president—have remained conspicuously quiet as ODM leaders launched a barrage of accusations against Kenyatta. Gladys Wanga, John Mbadi, Peter Kaluma, and Junet Mohamed accused the retired president of meddling in ODM’s internal affairs, alleging he was using “moles” to destabilize the party. Wanga’s words were blunt: “We want to tell President Uhuru Kenyatta that we are friends, but we will not accept you using moles to destabilize the ODM party.” Junet Mohamed escalated the rhetoric further, warning of a looming “war” in January to purge rebels allegedly on Uhuru’s payroll.
The silence of Matiangi and Kioni, once vocal defenders of Uhuru, has become a political statement in itself. Kuria’s criticism underscores the perception that allies who once stood firm beside Kenyatta are now retreating into the shadows, leaving the former president exposed to attacks from both ODM insiders and Ruto’s allies. This silence raises uncomfortable questions: is it strategic caution, political fatigue, or quiet betrayal? In Kenya’s unforgiving political terrain, silence is rarely neutral—it is often interpreted as complicity.
ODM’s internal battles are not new, but the scale of the current accusations marks a turning point. The party, founded two decades ago on ideals of reform and resistance, now finds itself fractured by suspicions of infiltration and external manipulation. The accusations against Kenyatta reflect not only ODM’s internal insecurities but also the broader struggle for dominance in Kenya’s opposition politics. Raila Odinga’s long-standing influence is being tested by younger leaders eager to assert independence, while Kenyatta’s lingering presence in national politics continues to provoke unease.
Meanwhile, Ruto’s allies have seized the opportunity to amplify the narrative of Kenyatta’s alleged meddling, portraying him as a destabilizing force unwilling to fully retire from politics. For Ruto, who has long positioned himself as the champion of hustlers against dynastic politics, the attacks on Kenyatta serve to reinforce his narrative of breaking away from the old order. Kuria’s intervention, though directed at Matiangi and Kioni, indirectly strengthens Ruto’s camp by highlighting fractures within Kenyatta’s circle.
The broader context of Kenya’s political battles reveals a pattern: alliances are fluid, loyalty is conditional, and silence can be weaponized. ODM’s accusations against Kenyatta echo past tensions where retired leaders were accused of meddling in party affairs, from Daniel arap Moi’s lingering influence after retirement to Mwai Kibaki’s quiet but strategic interventions. Kenyatta’s case, however, is complicated by his recent history of aligning with Raila Odinga in the handshake era, a move that reshaped Kenya’s political landscape but left lingering mistrust among ODM loyalists.
The silence of Matiangi and Kioni also reflects the precarious position of leaders caught between loyalty to a retired president and survival in a political climate dominated by Ruto’s administration. Speaking out in defense of Kenyatta could invite retaliation from Ruto’s allies, while remaining silent risks alienating their former patron. It is a delicate balancing act, but one that Kuria has chosen to expose, perhaps to remind Kenyatta that silence from his allies is as damaging as open betrayal.
Kenya’s political battles are rarely about ideology; they are about power, survival, and perception. The accusations against Kenyatta, the silence of his allies, and Kuria’s public rebuke all feed into a narrative of shifting sands where yesterday’s allies become today’s liabilities. ODM’s internal war, Ruto’s external pressure, and Kenyatta’s contested legacy converge to create a volatile mix that could redefine opposition politics in 2025.
The real question is not whether Kenyatta is meddling in ODM, but whether ODM can withstand the pressures of internal division and external interference. If the party fractures further, it risks losing its credibility as a unified opposition force. For Kenyatta, the attacks serve as a reminder that retirement from the presidency does not guarantee immunity from political battles. For Matiangi and Kioni, silence may buy temporary safety, but it erodes trust and exposes them to accusations of cowardice.
In the end, Kenya’s political theatre thrives on spectacle, but beneath the noise lies a sobering truth: silence can be as destructive as speech. Kuria’s rebuke is not just about defending Kenyatta—it is about exposing the fragility of alliances and the dangers of retreating when loyalty is most needed.
In Kenya’s politics, silence is never neutral—it is a verdict, a betrayal, and sometimes the loudest applause for the wrong side.
Dennis Dibondo