Thursday, October 30,
2025 - Kisumu Woman Representative, Ruth Odinga, has stirred fresh debate
within ODM by alleging that some individuals close to Raila Odinga exploited
his generosity and falsely claimed his endorsement.
Her remarks come amid growing tension over who will succeed
Raila as the ODM leader and as the political face of the Luo community.
“What Kenyans and members of ODM should know is that there
were some people around Raila who took advantage of his caring heart and would
declare that he had endorsed them,” Ruth stated.
She added that Raila, known for his diplomatic nature, often
allowed such claims to go unchallenged to avoid hurting those around him.
The succession debate has exposed divisions within ODM, with
conflicting interpretations of Raila’s final wishes.
One camp claims that he wanted ODM to remain in the
broad-based Government and potentially work with President William Ruto in
2027.
Another team insists that Raila intended for ODM to field
its own presidential candidate.
Ruth criticised ODM leaders who are now openly backing Ruto,
arguing that the broad-based arrangement was meant only to stabilise the
political landscape until 2027.
“You cannot, as a member of the ODM party in the broad-based
Government, start shouting Tutam.”
“What would be your negotiating edge post-2027 polls?” she
asked.
Following Raila’s passing, Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, Raila’s
elder brother, was named acting party leader, with plans underway to formally
install him as ODM’s official successor.
The party now faces a critical moment of transition ahead of
the 2027 General Elections.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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