Political tension in the opposition camp has once again surfaced, this time pitting the Wiper Patriotic Front against the Orange Democratic Movement over claims surrounding Raila Odinga’s health.
The latest exchange follows accusations from ODM that Kalonzo Musyoka and other Wiper leaders were spreading rumours about Odinga being unwell, a claim Wiper has strongly dismissed as false and ill-intentioned.
In its statement, Wiper defended its leader, saying Kalonzo has stood by Raila for years and would never seek to harm his political ally’s reputation.
The party said it was deeply disappointed that ODM had chosen to attack Kalonzo instead of addressing what it termed as growing internal cracks within the party caused by its recent closeness to the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Wiper described ODM’s actions as a calculated move to divert public attention from its own political troubles.
The statement accused ODM of engaging in blame games rather than taking responsibility for what it called betrayal of the opposition cause.
Wiper said ODM’s cooperation with President William Ruto’s government had exposed its double standards, calling it a party that had lost its moral authority to speak for the suffering public.
The statement read that ODM’s latest outburst was less about Raila’s health and more about guilt, fear, and attempts to justify what it described as a political marriage built on repression and opportunism.
Wiper also responded to claims that Kalonzo Musyoka had a hand in Odinga’s failed bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
The party dismissed the allegations as baseless, arguing that the loss was caused by diplomatic mistakes made by the government rather than any sabotage from the opposition side.
According to Wiper, the government’s missteps in handling the campaign for the AU seat mirrored the same political errors that continue to define the current administration.
The party maintained that it would not allow Kalonzo’s name to be dragged through the mud to cover up ODM’s “self-inflicted political decay.”
It added that the public could clearly see through the attempt to create divisions within the opposition for political convenience.
Wiper insisted that its focus remained on holding the government accountable rather than engaging in unnecessary political fights.
Meanwhile, ODM sought to calm the speculation by confirming that Raila Odinga had travelled abroad on private business and was in good health.
The party urged supporters to ignore false reports about his condition. Despite this clarification, the exchange between ODM and Wiper has left opposition unity appearing fragile, exposing the growing mistrust and rivalry between the two once closely allied parties.
The latest dispute highlights how shifting political alliances continue to test the strength and credibility of the opposition in Kenya.
