Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has made a passionate appeal for shared responsibility between government and citizens in building a more inclusive and stable Kenya, warning that governance cannot succeed without public trust, participation, and a sense of national ownership.
Speaking at the Third Cabinet Retreat and Midterm Review of the National Executive, Odinga reflected on his unique position as both a seasoned statesman and an observer outside the current administration.
He urged leaders and citizens alike to move past political rivalries and focus on the common goal of national renewal.
“No matter our disagreements, our visions and disappointments, we have to have a country first,” he declared. “An imperfect nation making efforts to become a more perfect union is preferable to a nation that went under.”
He emphasized that the retreat presents an opportunity not just for policy evaluation, but also for healing the relationship between government and the people, especially after recent unrest and public frustrations.
Odinga warned that the failure to bring citizens into the design and execution of public policy has fueled a growing sense of disconnect between the government and the governed.
“Without the people’s understanding and ownership of government policy, a perception will persist that the government is not delivering,” he cautioned.
His remarks also highlighted a broader theme: governance is not just about leaders making decisions, but about how well those decisions reflect the aspirations, needs, and participation of ordinary citizens.
“Everything going forward has to be about the people, not the leaders,” he stated.
Odinga called on all government officials — both at national and county levels — to regularly ask themselves one question:
“Might we be leaving any part of Kenya behind as we implement programs?”
His message was particularly directed at the need for inclusive development, balanced resource allocation, and a governing philosophy that listens, even to dissenting voices.
“The country has seen upheavals in recent days. While some may exploit them for power, the majority of Kenyans are simply praying for the nation to thrive,” he said.
In a notable remark, Raila reminded leaders that they are put in place for tough times, not for comfort.
“We are not put in place to merely flow with the current,” he said. “We are here to help turn the tide.”
