The alliance between Raila Odinga and President William Ruto is clearly showing signs of falling apart. What started in March 2025 as a promise of national unity is now under pressure after recent deadly protests and Raila’s strong public statement.
On July 11, Raila wrote on his official X page that any orders given to the police to shoot or harm citizens are wrong. He also shared a document from his office that criticized how the police handled the protests, calling for peaceful and lawful ways to deal with demonstrators.
This message came just a few days after protests on July 7 turned violent, with police killing at least 11 people. By July 9, the number of deaths had reached 31 according to news reports, with many more injured and over 500 arrested.
This statement from Raila is raising serious questions. Many people are now wondering whether he still supports Ruto or if he is slowly pulling away. Some Kenyans responded to his tweet with anger, calling him a hypocrite. They accused him of pretending to care while still being part of the same government that ordered the police crackdown.
Comments online showed a divided public some said he should talk to Ruto directly, while others believed he was trying to save face after staying quiet for too long.
Reports from June had already pointed out that the relationship between Ruto and Raila was shaky.
Sources said there were disagreements on policy, foreign affairs, and the way the government was being run. Ruto had tried to defend the alliance, calling it “God-sent,” but the tension was clearly growing.
Raila’s recent actions could now be seen as him preparing to step away from the partnership as the 2027 elections approach.
While it’s not confirmed whether he will officially break from Ruto, the message is strong. His words, the protests, the deaths, and the public response all suggest that the trust between the two leaders is almost gone.
Kenyans will be watching closely in the coming months to see if Raila fully distances himself or continues to walk the tightrope between supporting the government and siding with the people who feel betrayed.
