A vicious supremacy battle is quietly unfolding in Luo Nyanza as top political leaders seek to upstage each other in succeeding the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga .
At the centre of the ongoing succession battle are Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.
Treasury and National Planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
In the last couple of days, Governor Wanga and PS Omollo have been engaged in shadow boxing following the Kasipul by-election, which was won by ODM’s Boyd Were .
Although the two have not hit out at each other directly, remarks by their allies and proxies point at a deep-rooted political fight. In the by-election, Governor Wanga’s allies claimed Mr Omollo was behind the candidature of Philip Aroko (independent), who staged a fierce battle against Mr Were.
During the by-election campaigns, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, a close ally of Governor Wanga, lifted the lid on the simmering power struggle by accusing UDA politicians of sending “confusing signals” by campaigning for an independent candidate over ODM’s.
He singled out former governors Evans Kidero (Nairobi) and Okoth Obado (Migori) for openly campaigning Mr Aroko. He also hinted at other forces within the government.
“We cannot be in a broad-based government together while the UDA members are campaigning for our opponent. It is confusing our people. I'm asking the president to rein in those people,” Mr Kaluma demanded.
Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.
Photo credit: File | Nation
But it was after the polls that the fight between the county boss and the PS burst open. Protesters in support of Mr Omollo staged demonstrations in Kisumu to castigate Governor Wanga for undermining the PS.
They demanded that she leave the PS alone. Similar protests were also staged in Siaya and Migori counties, with protesters castigating Ms Wanga for undermining other leaders in pursuit of her political ambition.
Ms Wanga came into the national scene in 2013 as the Homa Bay Woman Representative, becoming the first woman to chair the influential Parliamentary Committee on Labour and Social Welfare.
Her biggest political leap came in 2022 when she vied for the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat. Mr Omollo is also emerging as an influential figure owing to his position in President Ruto’s administration. Her name has been mentioned as a possible running-mate for Dr Ruto in the 2027 presidential race.
Homa Bay Governor and ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Separately, Mr Wandayi and Mr Mbadi have also been going around the region to seek support in succeeding Mr Odinga, who for more than three decades was the de facto leader of the Luo community. The two have been holding rallies and engaging various interest groups in the region.
Mr Wandayi has, in the last couple of weeks, been holding a series of activities in what many view as a strategy to position himself as the next kingpin of the Luo community.
On Thursday, he hosted the Luo Council of Elders at his Sidindi home in Siaya, a meeting which was attended by politicians too, including Siaya Senator and the Orange Democratic Movement Party Leader Dr Oburu Oginga, MPs Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Aduma Owuor (Nyakach), Caroli Omondi (Suba South) and Moses Omondi (Ugunja).
He said he would be holding more frequent meetings after he held another successful one with professionals on Friday morning.
Mr Wandayi said when he used to work under former Premier Raila Odinga, he used to insist on the unity of the Luo and not allow anyone to divide us.
“Let us stop personal selfish interests and look forward. We can only make progress and develop as a community when we are united,” said Mr Wandayi.
He pointed out that the community has been in the trenches in their quest for power and therefore must fight to be in government.
“We have no alternative but to fight to remain and form the next government. We have to strategise well so that we succeed. Being in opposition is the toughest job, I swear, if you do not have the means to sit at the table where the national cake is shared, then it amounts to nothing,” said Mr Wandayi.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
On Friday morning, he met professionals from Siaya for breakfast at Acacia Hotel in Kisumu, a closed-door meeting that sources said Mr Wandayi was endorsed as kingpin.
Among those present were former Rarieda MP Engineer Nicholas Gumbo, chairman of the Kenya Sugar Board, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, former Police Spokesperson Charles Owino, and Dr Jalang’o Midiwo, a commissioner at the Commission on Revenue Allocation.
He defended his position in the broad-based government, saying it is in such spaces that they are in that they can leave a big impact at the national level and back home.
“The Nyanza region is going through a transition, but we are serving in President William Ruto’s government. Government projects and politics are intertwined.
Dr Oginga lauded Mr Wandayi for bringing the elders together, even as he called for unity of the Luo Nation.
“Eating with the elders at the end of the year is a good thing, and when they leave happy, you know you have their approval,” said Dr Oginga.
“Our unity remains our strength. Let us support those working in government 100 per cent. At the same time, those elected in various positions should be supported 100 per cent,” said Dr Oginga.
“For us people from Siaya, the senior-most leader is Wandayi, then the governor, MPs, Deputy Governor and MCAs,” said Mr Odhiambo.
He added that as it stands, the spirit of Raila is still hovering in Nyanza and is set to land on one person.
“The spirit of Raila is still hovering around, and the way I am looking at it, it might fall on one of us, and that is where we will all follow. As Siaya people, we are praying it falls on somebody from Siaya,” said Mr Odhiambo.
Mr Anthony Oluoch, the Mathare MP, also weighed in on Mr Wandayi’s leadership credentials, describing him as one of Odinga’s mentees.
“Opiyo Wandayi has been the foremost student of Raila that I know. Whenever I look for direction, I look at Wandayi, and I know how Raila thinks and follows direction,” said Mr Oluoch.
In his series of political activities in Luo Nyanza, CS Mbadi has indicated that he qualifies to lead the Luo community following the death of Mr Odinga.
“I know where Raila was taking us to, the paths he was following. However, I won’t put on his shoes; rather, I will buy one that fits me and lead the Luo community the way I know, as we enter Canaan,” Mr Mbadi said recently in Kisumu.
“Raila Odinga was like Moses, who was shown Canaan but did not have the chance to enter. However, we must enter Canaan.”
