Raila Odinga: Ruto, 5 Other Politicians Whose ODM Leader’s Death Is A Blow For 2027

• Many people agree that former prime minister Raila Amollo Odinga was one of the most influential and enduring politicians in Kenya for decades.
• Ahead of the 2027 General Election, his absence creates a gap in the opposition and the government of President William Ruto
• TUKO.co.ke has looked at some politicians whose bids for re-election in 2027 are not guaranteed following the death of Raila

Nairobi – The death of former prime minister and veteran opposition leader Raila Amollo Odinga surprised many Kenyans, including politicians.

The death of Raila, one of Kenya’s most influential and enduring politicians, leaves a huge void in Kenyan politics as the country heads for the 2027 General Election.

How will Raila’s death affect Kenyan politics?

When Raila’s body was lowered into the grave on Sunday, October 19, it became clear that Kenya was witnessing the closing of a whole chapter in the story of the country’s democratic struggle.

Analysts say his absence creates a rift within the opposition and President Ruto’s government, which, like his predecessors, relied on his influence to maintain stability amid growing public discontent.

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Raila had made five attempts at the presidency, and in each case several politicians used his name to win the election.

Now TUKO.co.ke is looking at politicians who may find it difficult to be re-elected in 2027 without the former prime minister.

1. President William Ruto.

President William Ruto is high on the list of politicians who will have to go back to the drawing board after Raila’s death.

Months before Raila’s death, many analysts had argued that Ruto’s bid for re-election in 2027 depended heavily on the former prime minister’s support.

Having lost the support of Mount Kenya region, which voted for him in 2022, Ruto needed Raila’s support to control all ODM strongholds in Nyanza, Nairobi, West and Coast regions.

Some quarters had claimed the president and Raila had entered into a secret agreement for the next election.

However, speaking in Bondo, the head of state said that there was a need for an agreement between him and Raila regarding the 2027 elections.

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“I told Raila Odinga, if you run for the presidency in 2027 or if you support someone else, I want to deal with you,” Ruto said.

But without Raila, the leader of Kenya First Alliance will strive to get 100% support from ODM strongholds, given that some party leaders are against his government.

2. Gladys Wanga

Governor of Homa Bay Gladys Wanga are among the prominent politicians whose efforts to be re-elected in 2027 are at risk following Raila’s death.

In the 2022 Homa Bay County gubernatorial election, ODM’s Wanga won with 244,559 votes, closely followed by Evans Kiderowho got 154,182 votes despite running as an independent candidate.

Wanga’s victory was largely due to Raila, who gave him a direct ticket after persuading strong candidates such as Finance Minister John Mbadi and current Homa Bay deputy governor Joseph Oyugi Magwanga to resign.

Now, without Raila’s blessing, some analysts say that the Homa Bay governor will have a hard time winning a second term.

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Analyst Odoyo Owidi said that the rebellion against Wanga in Homa Bay county will increase considering that the political master is no longer there.

“There is a big rebellion against him in Oma Bay county. And he has been trying to say, Oh, it’s Raymond who brings it, it’s Ovid, not one of those people. In fact, his story will be increased by the fact that Father is not there. And without Father, the rebellion will be even bigger,” Ovid said.

3. Johnson Sakaja

Governor of Nairobi Johnson is another senior politician whose political future is in a difficult situation following the death of the former prime minister.

Recently, Sakaja relied heavily on Raila’s influence to strengthen his rule after facing threats to remove him from power.

More than 80 members of the Nairobi County Assembly had signed a motion to remove Sakaja from power, accusing him of incompetence.

However, the former prime minister called ODM MCAs and persuaded them to drop the motion to remove him from power.

In the absence of Raila, Sakaja’s survival in 2027 is not guaranteed, given that his public appearances showed that he was counting on the former prime minister’s support.

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4. Edwin Sifuna

The political future of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) secretary general Edwin Sifuna is also uncertain after Raila’s death.

Sifuna is reported to have said his rising political journey was due to the support of the prime minister.

Before his death, Raila had vehemently defended the Nairobi senator despite calls from some ODM leaders for him to be fired for opposing the wider government.

After Raila’s death, the young senator will now find it difficult to oppose the government and will still have his position as SG of the ODM party.

5. Abdulswamad Nassir

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir is among the leaders who also relied on the ODM wave to win the 2022 election.

In the hotly contested Mombasa gubernatorial election, Nassir got 119,083 votes and defeated UDA’s Hassan Omar, who got 98,105 votes.

Now that Raila will not be on the ballot in 2027 and with the possibility that ODM may break up, Nassir’s re-election bid will face stiff competition.

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For example, according to Owidi, the Luo community controls more than 150,000 votes in Mombasa, and without Raila, they may not vote as a barrier as they did before.

6. Leaders elected by ODM in Luo Nyanza, Western Kenya and Nairobi

The biggest group of politicians who will be affected by Raila’s death are the currently elected leaders in Luo Nyanza and Western Kenya.

In the previous elections, many politicians supported by the ODM party in Luo Nyanza won the elections because of Raila’s name.

In many cases, the Orange party gave direct tickets to politicians in Nyanza and Western Kenya, especially in Kakamega and Busia counties.

Without Raila, such politicians would find it difficult to convince their voters to vote for them in the 2027 elections.

In Nairobi county, many elected officials won their elections because of the name of Raila and the strength of the ODM party.

“All they need is to talk to the Father, and the Father will give them the Luo vote in large numbers, and they would be elected,” Ovid said.

Will Raila’s death change Kenya’s political landscape?

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Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that political analyst Philip Mwangale had opened up about how Raila’s death would affect Kenyan politics.

Mwangale said that politicians from the Luo Nyanza area will be the most affected. He also predicted major changes in the coalition before the 2027 General Election.

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Source: TUKO.co.ke