Former President Uhuru Kenyatta joined thousands of Kenyans at the first anniversary memorial of Raila Odinga in Bondo, Siaya County, while President William Ruto was notably absent from the gathering on Thursday, October 15, 2026. The contrasting attendance came against the backdrop of years of political rivalry, unexpected partnerships and renewed tensions involving Kenya’s leading political figures. Ruto was reported to be undertaking official engagements in other counties, while Uhuru’s presence brought renewed attention to his long and complicated political relationship with the late former Prime Minister.
Highlights
- Uhuru Kenyatta attended Raila Odinga’s first death anniversary memorial in Bondo.
- President William Ruto missed the gathering while undertaking other official engagements.
- Uhuru and Raila moved from fierce electoral competition to cooperation following the 2018 handshake.
- Ruto and Raila established a working relationship after the 2024 Gen Z protests.
- Recent exchanges between Ruto and Uhuru have added another dimension to Kenya’s evolving political landscape.
Main Story
Uhuru Attends as Ruto Misses the Memorial
The first anniversary of Raila Odinga’s death brought together thousands of mourners and political leaders at Migwena Cultural and Sports Grounds in Bondo. However, the absence of President William Ruto attracted attention, particularly given the political partnership he developed with Raila in the final years of the former Prime Minister’s life.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta attended the commemoration alongside Raila’s family, opposition leaders and other dignitaries. Ruto, meanwhile, was reported to be engaged in official activities in Elgeyo-Marakwet and Baringo counties.
The different attendance decisions drew attention to the relationships between the three leaders, whose political paths have repeatedly crossed over the years.
Uhuru and Raila’s Journey From Rivals to Partners
Uhuru and Raila were on opposing sides during the 2017 General Election, when Raila challenged the presidential results at the Supreme Court after Uhuru was declared the winner.
Their relationship took an unexpected turn on March 9, 2018, when the two leaders publicly shook hands at Harambee House in Nairobi, signalling an end to months of political confrontation.
The agreement, widely known as the handshake, opened the door to cooperation between the government and Raila’s opposition movement. It also led to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), which proposed constitutional and governance reforms.
The initiative later faced legal challenges and was ultimately halted by the courts. Despite the difficulties surrounding the process, the handshake marked a significant shift in the relationship between the two political figures.
Uhuru subsequently backed Raila’s presidential campaign in the 2022 General Election. Raila, however, lost to Ruto, who had served as Uhuru’s deputy during his first term before their relationship deteriorated.
Ruto and Raila’s Unexpected Political Partnership
Ruto and Raila spent much of their political careers on opposing sides, with their differences particularly visible during the 2022 presidential contest.
Their relationship began changing after the youth-led demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024, which placed pressure on the government to respond to concerns over taxation, the cost of living and public accountability.
Ruto later reached out to Raila, leading to an agreement that brought members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) into a broad-based government arrangement alongside the President’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The partnership reshaped the political landscape, with Raila and his allies taking up roles in government. Raila presented the arrangement as an opportunity to promote national unity and address issues affecting Kenyans, particularly young people.
Although the cooperation represented a major departure from their earlier rivalry, it also generated debate within ODM over the party’s relationship with the government and its political future.
Fresh Tensions Between Ruto and Uhuru
The absence of Ruto from the Bondo gathering also came amid renewed exchanges between the sitting President and his predecessor.
Ruto has accused Uhuru of supporting opposition activities, allegations the former President has rejected. The dispute has added to speculation about the direction of political alliances as parties and leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Against this backdrop, a joint appearance by the two leaders at Raila’s memorial would have attracted considerable public attention. Uhuru ultimately attended, while Ruto’s absence left the gathering without the sitting President.
However, the reasons behind Ruto’s absence should be distinguished from speculation about political motives, particularly in the absence of verified evidence linking his official schedule to the current disagreements.
A Memorial Beyond Political Rivalries
Raila’s first death anniversary was intended to celebrate his life and reflect on his contribution to Kenya’s political development. His relationships with Uhuru and Ruto illustrated his ability to move between opposition politics and cooperation with leaders who had previously been his adversaries.
As mourners gathered in Bondo, the occasion offered an opportunity to remember a leader whose political journey was defined by changing alliances, constitutional debates and a long involvement in public affairs.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the relationships between Kenya’s major political figures remain an important part of the national conversation. Yet the anniversary also served as a reminder that political disagreements need not overshadow the task of honouring a departed leader.
As Kenya remembers Raila Odinga, the contrasting political paths of Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto offer a reminder of how quickly alliances can change. Beyond the rivalries, will the values of dialogue and unity associated with Raila’s legacy continue to shape Kenya’s political future?
