RUTH ODINGA DECLARES PRESIDENTIAL BID

Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has said she is ready to contest the presidency in 2027 if the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) fails to settle on a suitable candidate to fly the party’s flag.

Odinga made the remarks on Christmas Day while speaking during a church service at St Peter’s Nyamira ACK Church, where she addressed both her political future and the state of the ODM party following the death of Raila Odinga.

“If you don’t find someone suitable within ODM ranks to go for the top seat in 2027, talk to me. I am here. This is a possibility,” she said.

Odinga reiterated that ODM remains strong enough to produce a presidential candidate capable of challenging President William Ruto in the next general election.

“ODM is a big party, and it is upon us to make it bigger. It is entirely upon us as members to commit to making it bigger than what Hon. Raila left. This is a party capable of fronting a presidential candidate. To the ODM fraternity, if you don’t find someone suitable within ODM ranks to go for the top seat in 2027, talk to me. I am here. This is a possibility,” Ruth stated.

She added that she sees nothing standing in the way of her bid.
“Nothing stops me from contesting for the presidency in 2027,” she said.

During the Nyamira church service, Odinga also spoke emotionally about celebrating Christmas for the first time without Raila Odinga, who had traditionally worshipped at the church during the festive season.

She also used the occasion to defend Raila’s legacy, criticising individuals she accused of attempting to damage his reputation on social media months after his burial.

“It is unfortunate that barely two months after laying Rt. Hon. Raila is to rest; some characters are busy defaming his name and reputation, which he worked so hard to build over the years on social media. Shame on you,” Ruth said.

Odinga also addressed claims that ODM is a regional party, saying it has national reach and representation in government.

She noted that the party has five Cabinet Secretaries serving in President Ruto’s administration, drawn from different parts of the country, and that only two of them are from the Luo community.

Her remarks come at a time when ODM is divided over whether to support President Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027.
A section of leaders, including ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Vihiga Senator Geoffrey Osotsi, have publicly opposed the idea, warning that backing Ruto could hurt the party politically.

Sifuna has dismissed claims that ODM had resolved to remain in a broad-based government arrangement, citing Raila Odinga’s remarks during the ODM at 20 forum in Machakos.
He recalled Raila asking party members, “Who told you that ODM won’t field a candidate in 2027?”

Sifuna has also been quoted on several occasions saying that any candidate fronted by ODM would comfortably defeat President William Ruto in a presidential contest, mentioning either himself or acting ODM party leader Senator Oburu Odinga as examples.

Against this backdrop, analysts note that a decision by ODM to isolate President Ruto and back an alternative candidate in 2027 could significantly complicate his re-election bid. This is especially so given Ruto’s recent efforts to rebuild support in the Lake Region, following indications of declining popularity in the vote-rich Mount Kenya region.

Ruth Odinga’s confident declaration comes amid shifting political fortunes, including a recent TIFA poll that ranked ODM as the most popular political party in the country at 20% overtaking President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) which rates at 16%.