National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, declaring that he never betrayed the iconic opposition leader.
Mbadi said he remained loyal even during the most turbulent moments of their decades-long political journey.
Speaking emotionally at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) grounds in Bondo during Raila’s state funeral, Mbadi reflected on their shared past and the sacrifices made along the way.
“I have never betrayed Raila Amollo Odinga, not even once — from my days as a university student to the Cabinet today,” Mbadi declared.
“You gave me positions of leadership when nobody could have imagined I could lead.”
In an impassioned tribute, Mbadi recounted how Raila had elevated him to numerous key roles, including Assistant Minister, ODM Party Chairman, Minority Leader, and more recently, Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury — the first Luo to ever hold the powerful docket.
He acknowledged that their relationship had not been without disappointment, recalling the moment Raila informed him he would not be the ODM candidate for Homa Bay Governor.
Yet, he said, he never wavered in his support.
“Even when you gave me the sad news that I was not going to be the governor for Homa Bay County, I still stood behind you because I knew why you made that decision,” he said.
Mbadi reflected on the political betrayals Raila endured throughout his life — including in 1996 when many Luo MPs abandoned him during his split from Ford Kenya — and praised the resilience that defined Raila’s career.
“Now, he has died when all Luo leaders are behind him,” he noted solemnly.
“I am glad he rested knowing I never betrayed him.”
In a light-hearted moment amid the somber mood, Mbadi noted the only point of disagreement between them: football. “We only differed on soccer — Baba supported Arsenal, I support Manchester United,” he said.
The funeral service marked the climax of the official national mourning period for Raila, a towering figure in Kenya’s political landscape for over four decades.
Thousands of mourners, local and international dignitaries, and citizens from all walks of life gathered in Bondo to pay their final respects.
Among the high-profile attendees were President William Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Speakers Moses Wetang’ula and Amason Kingi, and numerous senators, MPs, and governors from across the country.
Mbadi closed his tribute with a powerful message on Raila’s final wishes for political unity.
“Before he died, Baba showed us that he wanted us to be in government,” he said.
“As a party, as a community, we will be in a broad-based government.”
