Nairobi News

Gordon Opiyo, a political journalist/blogger who heavily supports President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza regime announced that he was dumping the ruling camp in fear for his safety and for his unappreciated sacrifices.

In a long rant posted to social media today, Mr Opiyo wondered if it was still worth it to support the rudderless Kenya Kwanza government and its network of communicators against a well-olied, well organized Raila Odinga camp that is allegedly funded by former president Uhuru Kenyatta.

“Do I give up? Is it really worth it? These were the issues racing through my mind on Monday. This is after interacting with several insiders of the Azimio brigade that I met at the cells. I thought of just shutting down this (Facebook) page and setting up another one that just writes the 3am thoughts and has zero political content. Then focus on my job and business, and leave anything political, live a quiet and simple life. Why?

I got scary information about the level of organization, dedication and funding on the Uhuru /Raila camp. I was in the same cell with four bodyguards of Martha Karua and was shocked to discover that each gets paid 70k per rally, on top of accommodation and meals . And they have two dedicated (Toyota) Prados for each trip. They got arrested in Sunday after strolling off during the Sunday trip the Azimio brigade had in CBD,” began Mr Opiyo.

He went on to claim that the oppisition camp was extremely monied, tightly knit and organized, the same way they had been since the BBI days to the 2022 campaigns ahead of the General Election.

“I had long suspected that things were really rosy on the opposition side, compared to the ‘Government’ side on these social media streets. Wahome Thuku and Pauline Njoroge, together with all the supporting colleagues, have been deconstructing the government side mercilessly and making the government side look clueless. Like a deer hit by full lights in the dark. Wahome is doing tens times much better than those on the government side financially, yaani the guy is well taken care of. Ako Sawa kabisa, in the opposition benches,” continued Mr Opiyo.

He went on to tell of a story a friend of his had told him of how the late former president Daniel Arap Moi had a well coordinated communication system in place such that government detractors would never get airtime to criticize him.

“His main concern is that Ruto is being exposed by lack of political support system, complemented by a well coordinated communication system. He is in Mombasa and says that he remembers how Moi used to have counter narrative to any attack against his system. Sheriff Nassir would fight from the Coast. Moses Mudavadi would fight from the West, Ndolo Ayah, Okiki Amayo and Odongo Omamo would fight from Nyanza. Yusuf Haji would organize events in the North. There was no time Moi lost the political war of narrative and propaganda. He was always ahead politically. And that is what Ruto lacks. After taking power, his political system simply collapsed. Key Allies took offices and went to sleep,” added Mr Opiyo.

Mr Opiyo went on to claim that Moi captured several local media houses to counter the two that had been antigovernmental back then. He said that Moi had a combination of political fighters and communications systems in place to refute opposition narratives and propaganda.

“Right now, 7 months in power, the government hasn’t captured any media outlet in the mainstream. They are all firmly on the Azimio side. The social media team simply withdrew the support, since there isn’t anyone coordinating anything. Those who got into offices, simply forgot those left behind. Since the government side isn’t serious and everyone has gone to sleep, I kept asking myself this question- these Raila guys are extremely organized and obviously well oiled by former President Uhuru, is it worth risking going against them?” asked Mr Opiyo.

He revealed he had received threats to his safety and was personally attacked for supporting the Kenya Kwanza regime; and that his businesses and friendships collapsed because of opposing opposition leader Raila Odinga.

“Is it worth taking this path? On this basis, the only logical thing would be to take a low profile, and stop my activism of saying the truth about the terrible Raila system. I think I have done enough to expose what goes on. I think I have done enough to warn you guys about the Raila spiritual system, his corrupt practices and greed. There comes a time, when one has to look after his own security interests. I want to walk around Kisumu without fear. I want to do business in Nyanza without being restricted. And this can’t happen if you don’t get support from a system that is stronger than that of Raila and Uhuru,” said Mr Opiyo.

He confirmed that he will focus on other non-political matters and keep off them for good, saying he had sacrificed more than enough and had lost much because of politics.

“It is not worth it,” concluded Mr Opiyo.

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