Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has called on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to respect the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s last wish by remaining in the broad-based government, saying this is the surest way to fulfil his vision of leading Kenyans to the long-promised “Canaan.”

Speaking in Uranga, Alego Usonga sub-County during a church service on Sunday, November 9, 2025, Kingi said Raila was not blind when he chose to take ODM into a broad-based initiative, and his death should not lead to the disintegration of the party.

“If the chairman of the party became the Cabinet Secretary of the Treasury, a docket that is the engine for growth, what does that mean? If the ODM deputy party leader became part and parcel of the Cabinet, what does that tell you? It clearly shows that ODM is right in government,” Kingi said.

He warned that leaders going against Raila’s last wish cannot “have their cake and eat it at the same time.”

Kingi likened some ODM leaders’ behaviour to that of the Israelites who betrayed God while Moses was away, saying, “It’s just three weeks since we lost Raila, and already his lieutenants are regrouping and forming statues they want to worship.

Raila had said, “I have gone to the mountaintop, have seen the glory land; I may not get there, but together we can.’ His death cut him short, but his vision remains.”

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He stressed that, as per African tradition, a deceased leader’s last words should be respected, and that ODM leaders must honour Raila’s direction to work with the government of the day.

“Though Raila has fallen on the journey to Canaan, that does not kill his vision and mission. It is up to us to achieve his plans,” he said.

Kingi, accompanied by Alego/Usonga MP Samuel Atandi and Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, reiterated that Kirinyaga leaders remain committed to supporting President William Ruto.

Atandi and Odhiambo confirmed their loyalty, saying, “Even after the death of Raila, we now shift allegiance to President William Ruto, and nobody will stop us. We are going to walk step by step with him to the end, now and beyond 2027.”

Odhiambo added that Raila had acknowledged the gains of the broad-based government, pointing to the appointments of two Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries for Interior and Health, the Attorney General, and the National Assembly Chairman from their region.

Kingi also praised Raila for blessing his Pamoja Africa Alliance (PAA), which he uses to collaborate with like-minded parties championing Raila’s legacy.

“I am happy that Baba left me with PAA. Though it was tough when planning to exit, he gave a green light and Ksh500,000, which helped in supporting the party. Those who think I betrayed Baba must know that every step I made was blessed by him. In fact, when Raila, Ali Hassan Joho, and Junet Mohammed came to my home over the party issue, it was painful for Raila to let me go. However, he endorsed the idea after I persuaded him for an hour,” Kingi said.