Raila: ODM will challenge Ruto in 2027 elections
Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga, who recently entered into a pact with President William Ruto, says his political party will challenge the incumbent during the 2027 General Election.
This is the first time the former prime minister is announcing that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will field a presidential candidate for the 2027 polls against Dr Ruto, who was his main political rival in the 2022 polls.
The opposition chief has previously insisted that ODM is not in government and that the party only donated “experts” to the Kenya Kwanza administration to assist Dr Ruto in stabilising the government and the economy.
Mr Odinga further explained that ODM’s agreement with President Ruto is not a betrayal of Kenyans, adding that his decision was for the sake of peace in the aftermath of youth-led anti-government protests.
“I did not enter into this wedding with the State to betray Kenyans. Kenya is bigger and more important than any individual. Kenyans must unite and work together. But during electioneering, ODM will also contest,” said Mr Odinga during an Idd Baraza held in Mombasa County on Saturday.
Mr Odinga began working with President Ruto after signing a deal to form a broad-based government to promote national unity and cohesion.
This led to the appointment of Odinga’s lieutenants to the Cabinet, including former Governors Hassan Joho (Mombasa), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and John Mbadi (Nominated MP) and Opiyo Wandai (Ugunja MP) in.
The Orange party further landed leadership slots in Parliament in recent changes to House leadership committees that saw allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua kicked out.
Powerful committee
They include the Budget and Appropriation Committee, which was initially chaired by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro. The powerful committee is now chaired by Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi.
The Health Committee, previously chaired by Endebes MP Robert Pukose, will now be under an ODM legislator, Seme lawmaker Dr James Nyikal, while Ken Chonga from Kilifi South landed the leadership of the Labour Committee.
Allies of Mr Odinga, including the Cabinet secretaries, had recently declared their support for Dr Ruto’s re-election in 2027, and Mr Odinga’s announcement is likely to throw them off balance.
The declaration by the ODM is also likely to jolt his working relationship with Dr Ruto, but the impact of his announcement was not immediately clear.
During the Saturday baraza, Mr Odinga urged ODM party members to conduct peaceful grassroots elections to strengthen the party.
He further urged the National government to fully devolve county functions to boost devolution. He said his pact with President Ruto involved strengthening devolution.
The politician with the biggest political party decried wanton corruption, challenging the National Government to firmly deal with the matter and ensure those involved are held accountable.
“Corruption is Kenya’s greatest enemy. We are seeing a lot of money getting into people’s private pockets. Corruption must end, and all those involved must be arrested and arraigned in court. They should be held culpable,” said Mr Odinga.
He decried over deteriorating health sector with hospitals lacking essential drugs.
“Kenyans must get special services in the hospitals. We need drugs in our health facilities,” he added.
At the same time, he called for peace and unity during the upcoming grassroots elections slated for next week.
Postpone party polls
This comes after a section of ODM members in the Coast region urged him to postpone the party’s grassroots elections over fears of irregularities and favouritism.
ODM will begin its grassroots polls on April 7, across the country. The ODM supporters want the election to be postponed to allow for consultations, fearing that if conducted under the current circumstances, it will lead to a fallout that could affect the party’s popularity in the coming elections.
“Our main fear is that key people who reflect voices on the ground are not the ones who have been fronted for elections. Those who have been fronted are not popular and are only known to the leadership and not the people on the ground,” said Mr James Owera.
But Mr Odinga said the grassroots polls are not a contest that should cause any rift within the party.
“The party elections should be a friendly match, don’t fight each other, you are siblings. We should remain united,” said Mr Odinga.
Mr Joho said that although he is in the Cabinet, he is still an ODM official who must be involved in any party issues.
“I am part and parcel of ODM. I am always consulted on any matter, I was the ODM deputy party leader,” said Mr Joho.
ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna said the political party would not be intimidated by anyone, and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed urged ODM supporters to remain calm during the grassroots elections.
“As ODM, we know our plans and where we are heading as a political party. Many people are fighting us, but our aim of uniting with the state is to ensure equitable distribution of resources and fairness. Many people are furious at President Ruto for uniting with Mr Odinga,” said Mr Mohammed.
He said ODM leaders are not scared and will always speak facts to the government.
The MP said ODM will make plans for the 2027 polls.
watieno@kenationmedia.com