Raila Junior addresses guests during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Raila Amolo Odinga Mausoleum at Kang'o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County, on July 20, 2026.
Mr Raila Odinga Jnr, son of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has increased his activity in the Kibra constituency over the last few weeks, suggesting that he is preparing to enter elective politics next year.
His growing presence in the constituency, one of his father’s former strongholds, has already caused political unease, with Mr Odinga Jr appearing keen to build on his family’s long-standing influence in the area.
Mr Odinga Jnr has held a series of meetings with residents and community groups in Kibra, fuelling speculation that he is preparing to enter elective politics in 2027.
The constituency is currently represented by MP Peter Orero, but Mr Odinga Jnr has repeatedly described Kibra as a key part of his family’s political history.
Raila Junior speaks to the congregation during a service at Cathedral of Praise Ministries International Church in Imara Daima, Nairobi on May 24, 2026.
He says that Kibra has been the “soul” of the Odinga family for years, and he recalls how his late father would often retreat there to deliver major political statements during some of the country’s most turbulent political moments.
“We are still in discussions. But the only thing that we are focusing on now is to see that Kibera is managed and administered well,” Mr Odinga Jnr told Nation.
Although Mr Odinga Jnr's background is in business, and he has played a key role in the success of the family’s business interests, he says he now wants to focus on improving people’s lives. He believes this objective would be better pursued through elective leadership.
“We’ve always had a close association with the people of Kibera ever since Baba ran for the greater Lang’ata in 1992,” he said.
He added that even after Kibra was carved out of the larger Lang’ata constituency ahead of the 2013 General Election, the Odinga family retained strong ties with its residents.
The late Prime Minister’s widow, Ida Odinga, daughter Winnie Odinga and Mr Odinga Jnr are registered as voters at Kibra Primary School, commonly known as Old Kibra Primary School.
Over the past few weeks, Mr Odinga Jnr has been holding meetings at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF), bringing together various groups from Kibra and other parts of Nairobi County.
His activities are viewed by political observers as an attempt to consolidate support in key parts of Nairobi that were traditionally considered strongholds of his late father, who enjoyed significant backing in the capital.
“I have always been around, even with Baba. What we are looking at is just to try and get the views of the people in terms of how they feel and what they see moving forward, now that Baba is not there. I take myself as a custodian of what Baba was doing,” he said.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s children, Raila Odinga Jr and Winnie Odinga, attend a political rally at Kamukunji Grounds in Kibera, Nairobi, on January 18, 2026.
During the meetings, Mr Raila Jnr has listened to village elders and assured them that he would reach out to all communities and interest groups in Kibra.
The engagements have also brought to the fore a range of challenges facing different wards, including access to clean water, bursary allocation, land issues involving the Nubian community and poor roads.
“We are still listening to the people at this stage, and when the right time comes, I will declare my stand,” he said.
Among the groups that have recently met Mr Odinga Jnr are market leaders in Kibra, who complained about the poor conditions under which traders operate.
The traders raised concerns over the state of Toi Market and the long-awaited perimeter wall, which remains incomplete.
Mr Odinga Jnr also revealed that his mother, Ida Odinga, and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Dr Oburu Oginga have endorsed his plans.
Azimio la Umoja coalition leaders led by the late Raila Odinga on their way to Kamukunji grounds in Kibera for a political rally on April 28, 2023.
His sister, East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga, has also announced that she will seek an elective political seat in the 2027 elections, potentially setting the stage for a new generation of Odingas to take a more prominent role in Kenyan politics.
Mr Odinga Jnr on Tuesday clarified a video circulating on social media in which he was seen addressing residents of Kilgoris after landing at an airstrip, with a fence separating him from the crowd.
He said the incident did not take place at President William Ruto’s home, as some social media users had suggested. He explained that he had stopped to greet residents who were excited to see him as he headed to attend the wedding of the President’s daughter last weekend.
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