Jubilee Party Deputy Organising Secretary Pauline Njoroge has criticised President William Ruto over his remarks concerning the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party during the funeral of the late opposition leader Raila Amolo Odinga on Sunday, October 19, 2025, in Bondo, Siaya County.

Through a post on her X account on Sunday, October 19, 2025, Njoroge expressed disappointment, stating that the President's comments appeared to suggest an intent to control or silence dissenting voices within ODM.

Njoroge, who also served as a key member of Raila Odinga's campaign team for the African Union Commission Chairperson bid, indicated she had initially intended to refrain from political discussions out of respect for Odinga. However, she felt compelled to respond to President Ruto's statements.

“Out of my deep respect for Baba, I had wanted to keep off politics for now. But my goodness! Did Ruto just say that hatakubalia wale wanataka kuchukua ODM waende wakacheze karata ya opposition? In short, he is declaring that he will silence any dissenting voice within ODM,” Njoroge wrote on X.

President Ruto, speaking at Odinga's burial ceremony at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, had pledged to safeguard ODM, stating that a strong and vibrant opposition is essential for Kenya's democracy and economic stability. He affirmed, “I want to assure ODM members that, according to Baba's wishes, we will respect and support ODM. ODM must remain strong as we go into 2027, because that is how we will have a strong government. Political parties are the foundation of any meaningful democracy.”

The Jubilee official further accused the President of hypocrisy, claiming that on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, the same day Odinga passed away, he signed the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, 2024, into law. Njoroge asserted that this law contradicts Odinga’s lifelong fight for democratic freedoms.

“No wonder, on the very day Baba died, and Ruto, being fully aware, in total disregard of everything Baba stood for, he signed the Cybersecurity Bill into law. A law that seeks to muzzle the very freedoms Baba fought for all his life,” she wrote.

The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, 2024, expands the definitions of cybercrimes, introduces stricter penalties, and grants broader powers to the government, including the authority to block access to digital platforms or content deemed illegal. This has raised concerns among civil society, legal experts, and digital rights advocates regarding digital rights, privacy, and government accountability.

Njoroge lamented that Kenya had lost a man who embodied freedom and justice, warning that the country was now facing uncertain times under the current regime.

Historical and Political Context

Raila Odinga, a towering figure in Kenyan politics, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in India, following a cardiac arrest. He was accorded a state funeral with military honours, a first for a non-president in Kenya, and was laid to rest on Sunday, October 19, 2025, in Bondo, Siaya County. His death sparked an outpouring of grief and national mourning.

President Ruto described Odinga's death as a profound personal loss, acknowledging the former Prime Minister's significant contributions to Kenya's political and national life. The President and Odinga had developed a working relationship in the months leading up to Odinga's death, collaborating on national initiatives.

Laws, Policy, and Governance

The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, 2024, signed into law on October 15, 2025, has been a point of contention. Critics argue that while the government states the law aims to combat cybercrime, its broad powers and vague language could be used to stifle dissent and limit freedom of expression online. The law allows for expanded definitions of cybercrime, stricter penalties, and empowers the state to order takedowns of online content and compel service providers to hand over user data, sometimes without prior judicial oversight.

Stakeholders and Testimonies

Pauline Njoroge, as Jubilee Party Deputy Organising Secretary, has been an active political commentator and strategist, particularly within the Azimio coalition. Her critique reflects a segment of the political class concerned about the implications of the new cyber law and the future of opposition politics in Kenya. Civil society groups and digital rights advocates have also voiced concerns about the law's potential impact on civil liberties.

Evidence/Data Box

• Date of Raila Odinga's Passing: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
• Date of Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Assent: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
• Date of Raila Odinga's Burial: Sunday, October 19, 2025
• Pauline Njoroge's Role: Jubilee Party Deputy Organising Secretary

Risks and Implications

The ongoing debate surrounding President Ruto's remarks and the new cyber law highlights potential risks to Kenya's democratic space. Critics fear that increased government control over online content could lead to self-censorship and limit public discourse, particularly for those critical of the government. The timing of the law's assent, coinciding with a period of national mourning, has also fueled public mistrust.

Unknowns and Controversies

The full impact and interpretation of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, 2024, remain to be seen. Legal challenges are anticipated, and the judiciary will play a crucial role in defining the limits of the new law and safeguarding digital rights. The future leadership dynamics within ODM following Odinga's death also present an area of uncertainty, with President Ruto's comments potentially influencing internal party affairs.

What to Watch

Observers will be closely watching how the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2024, is implemented and whether civil society challenges to its provisions gain traction in court. The evolving political landscape within ODM and the broader opposition coalition will also be a key area of focus as Kenya approaches the next general election. The balance between national security and individual freedoms in the digital realm will continue to be a significant point of discussion.