Raila Odinga: I Won’t Vie for Presidency if Mama Ida Decides I am Tired
Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, sparked amusement in Mombasa on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, as he asserted that the decision on whether he will run for the presidency in 2027 will be made by his wife, Ida Odinga, among others.
The leader of the opposing party has yet to announce publicly whether he intends to compete against President William Ruto, who is pursuing his second and last term in office.
Odinga stated that if Ida expresses fatigue with his pursuit of the highest office in the nation, he will adhere to his wife’s instruction.
“If Mama Ida says Baba (Raila Odinga’s nickname) is now tired and cannot proceed, that will be okay. I will pave the way for others,” he said while addressing Kongowea residents, amid laughter.
In the upcoming 2027 general elections, should Raila choose to run, it will mark his sixth endeavor to vie for the presidential position.
He unsuccessfully vied for the first time in 1997.
In 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022, he also unsuccessfully vied.
During his recent visit to Mombasa, Odinga encouraged residents to actively engage in registering with the ODM party. He expressed his willingness to back any candidate from his party or the Azimio coalition, which he leads, in case he does not secure the nomination for the presidential candidate position.
ODM has been actively enlisting individuals at the community level nationwide, and it is on the verge of conducting internal elections to appoint its party representatives.
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“We will conduct grassroots elections to elect delegates to choose the party leaders. The constituency and county officials elected will go to the national delegate’s convention, and they will elect all national leaders, including a new party leader,” he stated.
“If they elect Baba, well and good, if not, it is okay. That is democracy. People should not say Baba is an automatic candidate for the presidency. Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya are the deputy party leaders of the ODM, and they are equally entitled to vie for the party leadership,” reiterated the former Prime Minister.
Joho (former Mombasa Governor) and Wycliffe Oparanya, also a former Governor (Kakamega), are the deputy party leaders for ODM.
Odinga mentioned that the ODM party’s nominee for the presidential position will be presented for consideration at the table, where delegates will decide on the most suitable candidate.
The Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition consists of the prominent parties ODM, Wiper, and Jubilee (JP). Raila has expressed his willingness to back any candidate who receives unanimous endorsement within the coalition.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is the JP leader, while Kalonzo Musyoka heads the Wiper Party.
Mr. Kalonzo, Joho, and Oparanya have already declared their interest in battling it out with Dr Ruto (Kenya Kwanza).
Raila’s allies support him in trying to oust President Ruto in 2027.
Raila Odinga: I Won’t Vie for Presidency if Mama Ida Decides I am Tired
