Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah has openly questioned Raila Odinga’s recent support for the Adani airport deal, calling on him to appear on television and explain why he now backs a project he once kept quiet about.
Wajackoyah, known for his blunt style, said Raila’s support raises serious questions, especially given his new involvement in President William Ruto’s proposed “broad-based” government.
“It’s only Raila who knows that, and it’s only him who can answer,” Wajackoyah said during an interview with K24 TV on Monday, June 24, 2025.
“Since he joined the broad-based government, we have not been in a position to talk on national issues. So if he has decided that Adani now is a god, well, let him come on television and explain to Kenyans why he is now agitating for the Adani deal.”
Wajackoyah, who has previously supported Raila on various political issues, said this particular matter was different.
“Raila is my friend, but when it comes to national issues, I may not agree with him on that one. I am sorry,” he added.
Raila defends Adani deal
His comments come just days after Raila expressed regret over the cancellation of the Adani-led airport project. Speaking during the 3rd National Executive Retreat on 20th June 2025, the former prime minister said Kenya was missing out on becoming a key aviation hub.
“I was very disappointed when we were not able to move on with the airport contract,” Raila said. “Kenya is very strategically situated… we can become a hub, a big hub.”
He blamed politics for the cancellation of the Adani contract, warning that without bold infrastructure investment, Kenya risks falling behind cities like Addis Ababa and Kigali.
But Wajackoyah is not convinced. He says the change in Raila’s tone since the handshake with Ruto needs to be explained clearly to Kenyans.
“What is in that deal that has attracted Raila?” he asked. “Let him tell the people.”
Wajackoyah also weighed in on recent protests, including the June 24 demonstrations against the Finance Bill, saying they have often been politicised.
“When you’re looking at the protests, starting from Azimio protests and the June 24 protests, there always has been an argument that they’ve been heavily politicised,” he said.
The back-and-forth has added a new twist to Kenya’s already heated political debate, especially as public trust in both government and opposition continues to shift.
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a digital writer with over five years of experience. He graduated in February 2022 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from The Co-operative University of Kenya. He has written news and feature stories for platforms such as Construction Review Online, Sports Brief, Briefly News, and Criptonizando. In 2023, he completed a course in Digital Investigation Techniques with AFP. He joined K24 Digital in May 2025. For inquiries, he can be reached at [email protected].
