- A video of top ODM and UDA leaders enjoying a private jet ride surfaced online just two days after Raila Odinga's first death anniversary
- The same broad-based leaders had missed the official memorial at Migwena Grounds in Bondo, with some spotted at events abroad
- Winnie Odinga reposted the trending jet video with a sharp sarcastic message that stopped short of saying what was really on her mind
A video of Kenya's broad-based government leaders laughing and mingling inside a private jet has gone viral, and the timing has left many Kenyans furious.
Source: UGC
The clip, now widely shared on X and TikTok after Winnie Odinga reposted it on her Instagram Story, shows a cabin full of high spirits following President William Ruto's mega rally in Eldoret on Saturday, 17 October 2026.
It emerged just two days after the country marked one year since the death of former opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Who was on the jet?
Identifiable passengers in the video include Mining and Blue Economy CS Hassan Joho, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, Silvanus Osoro and Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.
The group represents the core of the political alliance between Ruto's UDA and Raila's ODM that has governed together since 2023.
At the Eldoret rally, Ruto, flanked by many of the same figures, defended the broad-based arrangement and appealed for a second term in 2027.
The Bondo boycott that started It all
Three days before the jet footage surfaced, mourners gathered at Migwena Grounds in Bondo on 15 October to mark one year since Raila died in India. The gathering was notably absent of broad-based ODM figures. Wanga was in Dubai for the RISE Summit 2026. Joho, Junet and others were absent, with Raila's family noting that no official invitations had been sent to them.
Only two broad-based officials attended the Bondo memorial: Kisii Governor Simba Arati and Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi. The ODM leaders who did show up in numbers, among them Edwin Sifuna, Babu Owino, James Orengo and Otiende Amollo, are all identified with the rival Linda Mwananchi faction that has positioned itself against the Ruto alliance.
For critics, the contrast between the sombre, stone-pelted gathering in Bondo and the cheerful jet cabin a weekend later felt like a slap. Five people were arrested after stones were hurled at the VIP tent during the Bondo memorial, injuring some attendees.
Winnie Odinga's response on Instagram Stories was pointed. Reposting the jet video, she wrote:
"Ahhh so lovely seeing all the ODM officials celebrating Baba's first memorial. While they were in Dubai we received their gifts from Afgoonistan! Asante. We most reciprocate." Her reference to "gifts from Afgoonistan" was widely understood as a dig at the stone-throwing incident.
On X, user Abbie Zuena wrote that Sifuna had vowed to stand by Odinga's family while others were busy using Baba's name for business class tickets. Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru drew a contrast between the jet and the millions of Kenyans currently struggling with hunger and high taxes.
The brigade, for its part, has shown no signs of backing down. In Eldoret, Osoro told the crowd:
"Sisi tunasema hata William Ruto ni mtoto ya mtu bwana... Hata yeye lazima amalize miaka yake 10." Wanga has been publicly fronting Joho for the Deputy President slot in 2027, declaring earlier this year in Malindi: "If they have the President, ODM will have the Deputy President."
From Bondo's dusty memorial grounds to a private jet cabin, many Kenyans feel the gap between Raila's legacy and his party's current direction has never been clearer.
Source: TUKO.co.ke