NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 7 — Controversial lawyer and political activist Miguna Miguna has revealed why he chose not to attend the burial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, saying the event did not warrant him abandoning his personal and professional commitments.
Speaking during a virtual interview with TV47 from Canada on Wednesday, Miguna said Raila’s death was not unique to him, noting that people die every day across the world.
“I was not going to leave everything I was doing because Raila had died,” Miguna said. “So many people die every day. Raila was not more special than they were.”
Miguna Cites Personal Betrayal
Miguna, who once served as Raila’s close aide and famously presided over his 2018 symbolic swearing-in, said his decision was rooted in a history of strained relations and personal betrayal. He served as Raila’s advisor in 2008 before the two fell out in the run-up to the 2013 election.
He claimed that Raila never attended the funerals of Miguna’s close relatives, including his sister-in-law and father-in-law, despite their support for Raila during key political moments.
“Raila never came to my relatives’ funerals,” Miguna said. “So there was nothing special about his death, even though many Kenyans think he was special because of the positions he held.”
Raila received a state funeral with full military honours, drawing massive crowds and national attention.
However, Miguna dismissed the ceremony, arguing that political status should not elevate one life above another.
‘All Human Lives Are Equal’ — Miguna
Miguna framed his remarks around what he described as a principle of human equality.
“Each one of us is the same. We are all human beings,” he said. “There is nobody whose life is more important than another.”
He added that fairness and mutual respect guide his actions, insisting that betrayal leaves him no option but to speak openly.
“If you betray me, I have to speak the truth as an honest man,” Miguna said.
Miguna Criticises Raila’s Political Legacy
The Canada-based lawyer went further to criticise Raila’s long political career, claiming that some of his decisions caused suffering among Kenyans.
Miguna accused Raila of abandoning his supporters after entering political arrangements with former President Uhuru Kenyatta and later with President William Ruto.
“Millions of Kenyans have suffered because of Raila Odinga,” Miguna claimed. “He forgot them when he went into deals with Uhuru Kenyatta and later with Ruto.”
Gen Z Protests and 2024 Fallout
Miguna also expressed anger over Raila’s political stance during the Gen Z–led protests of June 2024, which targeted President Ruto’s administration.
According to Miguna, Raila’s decision to work with Ruto at the time undermined the youth-led movement for political change.
“Raila betrayed the Gen Zs,” Miguna said. “If Raila had not intervened to support Ruto, Kenya would have a new political dispensation.”
