Questions raised over Raila's connection to Treasury briefing

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan pays courtesy call to Opposition leader Raila Odinga and Treasy CS John Mbadi at Capitol Hill Square on Monday, March 24, 2025. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

When the Treasury Ministry announced that Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Azimio chief Raila Odinga would hold a press briefing at Capitol Hill Square in Nairobi on Monday evening, confusion rippled across the country.

Kenyans were left wondering — who exactly was Odinga standing there as? 

Was he there as a statesman, a government insider, or simply a curious observer? His presence blurred the lines between his political influence and any official government role.  
For some, Odinga’s appearance felt deliberate, more than just a casual presence, but rather a calculated statement. 

Others questioned Mbadi’s position at the podium; was he speaking as the Treasury CS or as Mbadi, the seasoned politician? And if the latter, why was the briefing announced on the government’s official platform?

MEDIA INVITE :

The Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga and CS FCPA Hon. John Mbadi will hold a press briefing today at 4:00 PM at Capital Hill Square, Nairobi. Media houses are invited to cover the event.@citizentvkenya ,@KBCChannel1 ,@KTNNewsKE ,@ntvkenya @StandardKenya @K24Tv… pic.twitter.com/yN3lAaLwRR

— The National Treasury & Economic Planning (@KeTreasury) March 24, 2025

On social media, the questions came fast. X user Jaizy asked, "Who is Raila Odinga in matters of National Treasury?"  

Another user echoed similar concerns, noting that while Odinga and President William Ruto have shown signs of cooperation, Odinga holds no formal government role. So what authority did he have to address the nation on Treasury affairs?

As speculation swirled, one thing was clear —Odinga’s presence had sparked more questions than answers.

Previously, the former premier had insisted that despite his handshake with President William Ruto, he was not part of the government. Yet his presence at the Treasury briefing, and the fact that John Mbadi, a close ally, now serves as Treasury CS, seemed to tell a different story.  

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan pays courtesy call to Opposition leader Raila Odinga and Treasy CS John Mbadi at Capitol Hill Square on Monday, March 24, 2025. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

“I want to be on record. There is no such alliance, as ODM has not entered into any political coalition with Ruto’s government,” Odinga had stated.  

However, for many, this latest appearance felt like confirmation that Odinga’s influence extends beyond mere political diplomacy.  

“Are we having two parallel governments? The takeover seems complete,” opined X user Lutherfans.  

With his allies seated in key government roles and Odinga himself stepping into spaces traditionally reserved for state officials, his claims of being an outsider seem increasingly hard to defend.  

Social media user Oliver Maaya captured the confusion best, asking, "If any, government business should be within government premises. Who goes to the other — the politician or the government? What's Raila Odinga's position in government?"  

On his part, Odinga clarified that the briefing followed a courteous visit by the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Guo Haiyan, who was accompanied by Mbadi.  

Whether intended or not, and with his allies firmly seated in government, the question lingers: Is Raila truly on the outside, or is he quietly shaping the government from within?