By Elizabeth Mumbi
Nyandarua Senator John Methu Nyutu has stirred political debate after advising President William Ruto to heed the counsel of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna rather than that of Oburu Odinga, the elder brother of opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Speaking during a development tour in Kisii County, Methu weighed in on growing calls for national dialogue amid escalating youth protests and a rising cost of living.
His remarks followed recent comments by Oburu Odinga urging Ruto to engage Azimio la Umoja leaders through traditional Odinga-family-aligned channels.
“Let’s be honest. If the President wants sincere feedback from the opposition, then Sifuna is the man to listen to—not Oburu,” said Methu. “Sifuna may be in Azimio, but he speaks plainly and understands the reality on the ground. Oburu is stuck in political nostalgia.”
Methu’s comments come just days after Sifuna criticized both government and opposition leaders, calling for a fresh, youth-driven national conversation.
“The people are tired. They don’t want recycled promises,” Sifuna said during a Senate session. “If we’re going to talk, it must be about real change—not elite negotiations.”
Praising Sifuna’s forthrightness, he said bipartisan efforts should focus on voices grounded in present realities. “He may be in the opposition, but Sifuna talk’s sense,” he told the crowd. “Let’s stop pretending our youth are okay. They’re not—and they won’t wait forever.”
In contrast, Oburu Odinga recently encouraged Raila Odinga to revive structured negotiations with the President, stating, “Ruto must recognize that dialogue is the only way to calm the nation.”
However, critics argue that such approaches signal a return to elite-driven “handshake politics,” which have historically left ordinary citizens sidelined.
