Mbadi’s dreams of Raila urging ODM to stay in the broad-based alliance have sparked heated debates across political circles, with critics questioning the former finance minister’s credibility on the matter. “Tangu Raila afariki, nimeota mara saba akiniita na kuniambia hivi: “Wajaluo tukae ndani ya broad-based, na ikifika 2027, tupigie Ruto kura,” said John Mbadi.
The claims, which Mbadi has repeated publicly, suggest that the late opposition leader Raila Odinga appeared to him in visions seven times, instructing him to rally the Luo community and ODM party faithful to maintain their position within the government coalition.
This revelation comes amid ongoing tensions in Kenya’s political landscape, where alliances are shifting faster than the weather over Lake Victoria. John Mbadi, a prominent figure in Kenyan politics and recently appointed to a key economic role, first shared these personal experiences during a rally in Kisumu last month.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters, he described vivid nighttime encounters where Raila, affectionately known as Baba, delivered clear messages about unity. “It was not once or twice, but seven times,” Mbadi recounted, his voice steady despite the murmurs rippling through the audience.
“Baba came to me, saying the path forward for ODM lies in strengthening this broad-based alliance, not abandoning it for short-term gains.”
The statements have not sat well with everyone. Prominent ODM voices and Luo elders have raised eyebrows, pointing out Mbadi’s outsider status within the party.
“You are not even a member of ODM,” one anonymous party insider told reporters off the record. “So in what capacity are you receiving dreams from Baba? This feels like overreach, a bid to insert yourself into decisions that should come from the party’s core.”
The critique echoes wider frustrations in a community still grieving Raila’s recent passing, viewing such claims as an unwelcome intrusion into sacred memory. Imagine the reverse, some detractors argue.
“If I said I dreamt of Raila telling me to instruct ODM to leave the broad-based alliance, would you believe me?” posed veteran journalist.
Her post, laced with sarcasm, captured the scepticism brewing online. One popular image showed him asleep at a desk piled with budget papers, with a ghostly Raila whispering from the shadows.
Political analysts trace this controversy back to the fragile nature of Kenya’s current government setup. Formed after the 2022 elections, the broad-based alliance brought together former rivals in a bid for stability, but cracks have appeared as economic woes mount.
Inflation hovers at 7.2 per cent, youth unemployment ticks upward, and whispers of realignment grow louder. ODM’s role in the coalition has been pivotal, providing legislative muscle in exchange for cabinet seats and policy influence.
Mbadi’s intervention, framed as divine guidance, seems timed to reinforce loyalty at a moment when defections could unravel the pact.
Supporters of Mbadi counter that his visions align with Raila’s lifelong ethos of pragmatic unity. “Baba always preached building bridges, not burning them,” said a Nairobi-based lecturer in political science.
“Whether you buy the dream narrative or not, the message rings true to Raila’s track record. From the 2002 rainbow coalition to his recent overtures toward the Kenya Kwanza administration, he was about long-game strategy.”
ODM SG Edwin Sifuna urged the public to focus on substance over spectacle. “Let’s stop the mockery and allow Baba to rest in peace. These claims, dream or no dream, highlight the void left by his absence.”
Yet the mockery persists. Late-night radio shows buzz with caller after caller dissecting Mbadi’s story. One host quipped, “Next, he’ll say Raila dreamt of him winning the lottery to fund ODM campaigns.”
Laughter aside, the episode underscores deeper rifts. ODM’s grassroots machinery, particularly in Nyanza, feels sidelined by Mbadi’s prominence.
Party secretary general Edwin Sifuna has remained tight-lipped, issuing only a bland statement about “honouring Raila’s vision through collective action”.
Insiders hint at internal meetings scheduled for next week, where Mbadi’s role in party communications will be scrutinised.
Beyond the personal barbs, Mbadi’s dreams of Raila urging ODM to stay in the broad-based alliance touch on existential questions for Kenya’s opposition.
With Raila out of the picture, who now interprets his mantle? The Luo community’s influence, long a cornerstone of ODM’s base, demands authentic leadership, not imported prophecies.
As one elder from Siaya put it during a community forum, “Dreams are private prayers; politics is public accountability. Mbadi should stick to numbers, not night visions.”
As the sun sets on another turbulent day in Nairobi, the alliance holds, but for how long? Mbadi has not responded to requests for comment on the backlash, instead posting a cryptic Bible verse on his social media account about faith and visions.
Whether this quiets the storm or fans the flames remains to be seen. For now, Kenyans watch, wait, and wonder if the ghosts of politics past will truly guide the future.