Opposition leader Raila Odinga has asked his Nyanza political bedrock to remain united irrespective of whether or not he succeeds in his bid to chair the African Union Commission.
In the race to be decided in February, Mr Odinga is running for the seat against Djibouti’s foreign minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and former Madagascar's foreign minister Richard James Randriamandrato.
Mr Odinga said irrespective of the outcome, it will be important for his supporters and the community to remain united.
"We must be united and become one as a people because that is what will strengthen you when I am away. We must continue consulting each other in every step that we take," said Mr Odinga.
The ODM boss said it was the presidents and opinion leaders from across the African continent who approached him contest for the AU seat, and that is why he heeded the call.
"Leaders from Africa felt the continent was headed in the wrong direction and therefore entrusted me with the mandate of steering back to its track," said Mr Odinga.
According to Mr Odinga, his journey to the AU will either be successful or unsuccessful, but even then, he promised to remain active in the affairs of the country.
"If I win this coming AU election well and good; if I lose, it will also be okay and will be back to be with you here in the country. My win doesn't mean that I will be detached from the affairs in Kenya. Addis Ababa is just few hours’ flight," said Mr Odinga.
The ODM party leader spoke amidst mixed reactions from leaders of the party and supporters on the broad-based government deal has entered with President William Ruto , and which was threatening to divide his allies and support base.
Mr Odinga’s AUC bid is a State-backed candidature, with President Ruto and his officials having gone full steam to campaign for the former prime minister.
Mr Odinga was speaking in Nyangera, Yimbo in Siaya County where he was attending the burial of his cousin Paul Richard Oudia Okello.
He was accompanied by Siaya Governor James Orengo, Senator Dr Oburu Oginga, Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda, Assmebly Speaker George Okode among other leaders.
Mr Odinga reminded his supporters to continue upholding unity that has been evident in the Luo community.
Mr Odinga used his usual parables to chide former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua , who was impeached in October for, among other things, describing government as a shareholding that bars those who failed to vote for it from benefiting.
Mr Odinga said the traps the former Deputy President laid on his path at State House only worked against him.
"The person who laid traps for me ended up giving a vote of thanks when I was endorsed for AU, while his wife prayed for my victory. I wonder where the traps went to. I will continue evading these traps being laid for me," said Mr Odinga.
Mr Odinga and Governor Orengo stressed the need for the community to maintain its traits of honesty, brevity and speaking the truth to Power always.
"As a community we are known for our unique traits. We are honest people, not liars, we are not corrupt, thieves, murders or betrayers. We are forthright and say it as it is. When something is wrong we will say it," said Mr Odinga.
"When we were crossing over to the New Year, I told President William Ruto that the ills that were being done in 2024 must stop. This includes the abductions," said Mr Odinga.
State-funded human rights agency, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, had said about 82 Kenyans had been abducted since June 2024, with more than 20 still missing.
Mr Odinga’s elder brother and Siaya Senator, Dr Oburu Oginga, waded into the raging abduction debate, lashing at human rights activists and politicians who he accused of being selective in demanding justice for victims.
"Slightly a year ago, we lost our sons in Kibera, Embakasi and Kawangware. We did not hear the people who are currently making noise," said the Siaya lawmaker.
"I agree that two wrongs don't make a right. However, we must demand justice for all. If we are talking about compensation, we must also talk about those youths who lost their lives when ODM were demonstrating," he went on.
"We had a mass requiem mass for many youths who died when the police shot at them during protests," he added.
Governor Orengo lauded Dr Oginga castigating other leaders who have forgotten the victims of demonstration.
While lauding the leadership of Mr Odinga saying his choices are usually the best for the community, Mr Orengo warned against rushing into making decisions without thinking them through.
"As a people we must always look at things critically before supporting or joining it. We should not be carried away by things brought before us. You can't just dance to any music because the music sounds nice at the moment. We must have vision and look beyond the present," said Mr Orengo.
"I am however extremely happy that where Raila is nothing can go wrong. He is someone who will always speak out when something is wrong. He is not a sycophant who supports government blindly," he added.
It wasn't clear whether his sentiments were aimed at the entire community or leaders who have turned to heaping praises on the president and broad based government yet recently they were his biggest critics.
He was among the few leaders from the opposition who were against the ODM party joining government claiming that was a poisoned chalice.
He however later called for a structured system of engagement within the ODM party and the government to guide the broad based government.
