Posting on his verified X account, Atandi described Uhuru as “a snake” who stole Raila’s votes in 2013 and 2017, yet appeared emotional at Odinga’s Karen home. His statement quickly spread online, drawing mixed reactions from Kenyans across the political divide.
Atandi, a fierce defender of the Orange Democratic Movement, said Uhuru’s visit to console Ida Odinga was pure hypocrisy. Viral clips had shown the former president visibly moved as he comforted the Odinga family. To Atandi, those tears were not genuine.
“This is the same man who unleashed police on our people and rigged Baba’s victory,” he told reporters after the state funeral at Nyayo Stadium.
The fiery remark came just hours after Uhuru received a warm welcome at Nyayo Stadium. The crowd broke into loud cheers as he walked in with his son Jomo.
His eulogy was full of fond memories, describing late-night conversations over tea and laughter with Raila. Uhuru said Raila chose peace over bitterness and promised to defend his legacy.
Many mourners hailed him for his emotional words, but Atandi’s comments quickly shifted the mood online.
The 2013 and 2017 elections, which Raila lost to Uhuru, remain some of Kenya’s most contested polls. The 2017 vote was nullified by the Supreme Court before Raila boycotted the repeat election.
Although the 2018 handshake between the two leaders ended years of rivalry, Atandi and other hardliners still view it as political betrayal masked as peace.
Reactions on X were divided. ODM loyalists praised Atandi for “speaking the truth,” while Kenyatta’s allies dismissed him as divisive. Some users reminded him that Uhuru later endorsed Raila for president in 2022, urging him to honor the peace Raila stood for.
As Raila’s body heads to Bondo for burial, Atandi’s outburst has reignited old wounds. His remarks reveal how fragile Kenya’s unity remains, even as the nation mourns the man who fought hardest to achieve it.
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