Dear Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, I write this on behalf of the Kamba Community—your steadfast supporters – through three consecutive elections: 2013, 2017, and 2022.
We have stood with you, sacrificed for you, and defended you even when it was not politically convenient. We have given you our votes, our trust, and our unwavering loyalty. But time and again, you have repaid our support with betrayal.
Our community has real, urgent needs. We have critical projects that have stalled because we have been in opposition. Now that you have joined hands with President Ruto, we expected you to fight for these projects—yet you have remained silent. Thwake Dam, a game-changer for our people, remains incomplete. The Kibwezi-Kitui-Mbondoni Road, which was supposed to transform connectivity in our region, remains in limbo. Konza City, a project meant to create jobs for our youth, is moving at a snail’s pace. Serious projects in Kitui, Machakos, and Makueni remain neglected. Instead of advocating for these projects to be revived, you have chosen to focus only on securing positions and benefits for your close allies.
In 2018, after years of struggle against the Jubilee government, you shocked us by shaking hands with President Uhuru Kenyatta—without consulting or considering those who had stood with you through thick and thin. That handshake only benefited you and your close allies while we remained in the cold. But despite our disappointment, we remained by your side.
Then came 2022. You had assured us that you would support our son, Kalonzo Musyoka, for the presidency. You made this promise publicly, yet when the time came, you broke it and chose to run again. Even then, we did not abandon you. We stood with you, hoping that at the very least, you would honor Kalonzo with the running mate position. But once again, you disregarded us and picked Martha Karua. We swallowed our pain and remained loyal, giving you our votes once more.
Now, in 2027, we had hoped that you would finally return the favor and support Kalonzo’s bid. But what have you done instead? You have once again betrayed us by aligning yourself with President William Ruto and his government. You have secured top positions for your allies, including Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary positions. Yet, despite the years of loyalty we have shown you, not a single Kamba name was even suggested. You negotiated for your people, rewarded your allies, and pushed for development in your home region, but what about us? What about the millions of Kambas who have sacrificed so much for you?
Was our loyalty only needed when you were in opposition? Were we only valuable when you needed votes? If political loyalty means anything, then we deserve more than just silence from you. We demand answers. We demand recognition. We refuse to be political pawns, used and discarded when convenient.
Rt. Hon. Odinga, we are done being taken for granted. If you can not stand with us when it matters most, then it is time for us to rethink our political future. Our loyalty is not blind, and our patience has limits.
Bantu MEDIA 