Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and President William Ruto during the second day of the third National Executive Retreat at the KCB Leadership Centre in Nairobi/PCS
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has challenged the political class to abandon populism and instead pursue what is right for the country.
This is even as he expressed regret over the cancellation of Adani deal that was meant to expand and manage the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)
Speaking on the second day of the Executive retreat, Raila said the country is facing a critical moment where leaders must rise above crowd-pleasing rhetoric and make tough decisions in the interest of the nation.
“My position is that leaders are put in place for difficult times to help turn the tide by providing solutions,” he said.
“From outside, we have seen leaders running away from leading and opting for what is easy and popular,” he pointed out.
His sentiments were echoed by President William Ruto, who noted that Raila’s call for leaders to focus on what is right strongly resonates with the values of the administration he leads.
In a subtle message to the opposition and which appeared to defend his position to form the broad-based government, Raila stressed that Kenya must always come before political differences, ambitions, or frustrations.
“I believe strongly that no matter our disagreements, our visions and disappointments, we have a country first," he said.
While acknowledging the political differences which he noted define Kenya's democratic space, Raila cautioned against allowing such divisions to undermine the nation’s foundation.
“We may hold strong decisions as we wish,” he said. “...but without a country to implement the ideas, they will remain mere wishes and deferred dreams.”
The former premier at the same time, vouched for national inclusivity in provision of key services and the rollout of development projects to Kenyans.
“Going forward, everything must be about the people and not the leaders,” he said.
“I strongly believe that no matter our disagreements and disappointments, we have to have a country first.”
The former Prime Minister also shared his thoughts on the development of infrastructure, commending the Affordable Housing Programme and associated programmes such as markets, hospitals and schools.
The housing programme, he insisted, must be integrated with markets, health centres, schools, and other social amenities to make it sustainable.
He further called for the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to make it the continental hub of Africa.
At the same time, Raila He expressed disappointment over Adani deal, saying Kenya lost a chance to effectively uplift its aviation facility.
Had the project proceeded, Raila said it would have elevated Nairobi into a regional economic hub.
“I was very disappointed when we were not able to move on with the airport contract; that was very unfortunate,” he said.
Raila narrated that the first expansion contract for JKIA was awarded while he served as Prime Minister, but was later on cancelled after the grand coalition government left office.
This is the first time Raila is speaking about the multi-billionAdani deal that was cancelled last year after public outcry.
President William Ruto, who officially opened the retreat Thursday, was also present.
In a statement shared on his official X account, Ruto lauded Raila’s contribution as insightful and timely, describing his message as resonant with the ethos of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“We have been honoured by the apt wisdom, insights, and ideas shared by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during his address at the Third National Executive Retreat,” President Ruto said.
The retreat brings together Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, alongside other senior government officials.
The meeting provides a moment for the team to take stock of progress, evaluate impact and make informed decisions about the path ahead.
It focuses on the progress made in the Kenya Kwanza's Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The agenda focuses on six strategic areas of lowering the cost of living, eliminating hunger, creating jobs, widening the tax base, improving foreign exchange balance and promoting inclusive growth.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
Raila on Friday attended the Executive retreat alongside President William Ruto in which confirms his elevated position in the broad-based government.
The national executive retreat provides a moment to take stock of progress, evaluate impact and make informed decisions about the path ahead.
