Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is facing a political dilemma over his role in the first anniversary celebrations of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, amid divisions over how the event should be conducted, the Daily Nation reports.
Raila died on October 15, 2025, leaving behind a long political legacy shaped by his decades-long opposition politics, his contribution to Kenya’s democratic reforms and his eventual cooperation with successive administrations.
The anniversary celebrations are expected to bring together political leaders, family members, supporters and other dignitaries to honour the veteran politician.
However, disagreements within Raila’s family and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) over the organisation of the event threaten to complicate the commemorations.
According to the newspaper, President William Ruto is expected to share the podium with Uhuru during the anniversary event in Bondo, Siaya County, on Wednesday, October 15, 2026.
The potential joint appearance places Uhuru in a delicate political position as questions emerge over the participation of leaders with differing political interests in an event intended to celebrate Raila’s life and contribution to the country.
Uhuru and Raila maintained a significant political relationship, particularly following their March 2018 handshake, which eased tensions after the disputed 2017 presidential election.
Their cooperation led to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), which sought constitutional and governance reforms but was eventually blocked by the courts.
The former president later worked alongside Raila in efforts to promote national cohesion, even as the two leaders continued to differ with other political actors over the country’s leadership and direction.
Ruto’s expected presence alongside Uhuru adds another political dimension to the anniversary. The two leaders have had strained relations since the 2022 general election, when Uhuru supported Raila’s presidential bid against Ruto.
The commemorations are therefore likely to attract attention beyond their memorial purpose, particularly as political alignments begin taking shape ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Raila’s death marked the end of an era in Kenyan politics, given his influence on opposition movements, multiparty democracy and national political negotiations.
The anniversary presents an opportunity for leaders across the political divide to reflect on his legacy, even as disagreements over the event’s organisation raise questions about whether the occasion will remain focused on remembrance or become a platform for political contestation.