In a reflective post shared on his X account, Kuria revealed that he spent long hours with Raila in the last three years of his life.
According to Kuria, their engagements were not casual conversations but intense, analytical exchanges that Raila himself described as discussions among deep thinkers.
Kuria said many of these moments are documented in his forthcoming autobiography, but he chose to highlight one critical truth about Raila’s politics.
He noted that Raila was fully aware that his political base was highly complex and demanded careful handling.
According to Kuria, Raila understood that the DNA of ODM was deeply rooted in ultra-liberal ideals. This reality, he argued, meant that even Raila himself could face resistance if he appeared careless or dismissive of the values held by his supporters.
The former adviser emphasized that Raila never underestimated his constituency. Instead, he approached it with restraint, patience, and strategic calculation, fully aware that political loyalty within ODM was driven by ideology rather than blind allegiance.
Kuria issued a thinly veiled warning to current political actors attempting to reshape ODM or Raila’s support base. He suggested that altering the ideological makeup of Raila’s constituency is not a simple task and cannot be done hastily.
Using a striking metaphor, Kuria compared such efforts to treating the party’s DNA like instant coffee—implying that shortcuts would backfire.
He warned that those attempting drastic changes without understanding the party’s roots would face serious consequences.
His remarks come at a time when ODM is grappling with internal divisions following Raila’s death, as leaders debate the party’s future direction.
Kuria’s message underscores that Raila’s legacy is not just about leadership, but also about respecting the complex ideological foundation he carefully nurtured over decades.
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