Raila was not intending to run in 2027 - Dennis Onsarigo claims

Dennis Onsarigo, a former Azimio Coalition Press Secretary, has asserted that the deceased Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, Raila Odinga, had no plans of running again as president in 2027 despite the numerous speculations that he was planning another run.

In an interview on Wednesday, November 12, Onsarigo opined that Raila instead had moved to empower communities and contribute to a political movement that was committed to national development, rather than ambition.

Onsarigo said that the long-time opposition chief had come to an endpoint in his political career in which he was giving back to the communities that had supported him during his decades of political service, especially the Luo community, which, according to Onsarigo, had suffered the most as a result of political isolation.

To be exceedingly blunt, there is no community that has shouldered such a great political loss so that the country could be where it is just like the Luo community.

Therefore, I believe that he was at a juncture and told himself, What can I contribute back to my people, or to the political base that has sustained me throughout the years? Onsarigo stated.

He has cited major appointments in the Kenya Kwanza government as evidence of the changing political thinking by Raila; he noted that various prominent ODM party leaders, like John Mbadi, Hassan Joho, and Opiyo Wandayi, were appointed to government offices.

Onsarigo says that such appointments were a well-calculated plan by Raila to bring his supporters into the existing administration instead of planning another election.

Ruling out such speculation that Raila might have been making a sixth bid to the presidency, Onsarigo pointed out that the ODM leader had taken on another political position; that of a mentor and national reconciliation.

I do not believe he had 2027 run in mind. Some were saying there was a plan, but no, I think he was making arrangements to help a side that wanted to lift this country up to a new level, as he claimed.

Onsarigo also proposed that Raila was now a softened politician who was willing to cooperate with President William Ruto during the remaining term of his tenure.

I believe that Raila Odinga had softened. He was no longer in that mode of opposition, which he was combative.

I think he would probably go all the way with President Ruto, and that too to the end. And that is what I really think, Onsarigo.

His statements create an image of a leader who changed his attitude to an attitude based on unremitting opposition to one who aimed at establishing unity and progress by using tactical collaboration.

But the assertions by Onsarigo seem to go against the very statements by Raila himself made only a few weeks before.

In September, Raila forcefully dismissed the argument that his party would not run a candidate in the 2027 general election after an ODM Parliamentary Group meeting at Machakos County.

"We are ODM. A candidate in 2027, who has made you think that ODM will not have one? Who has told you?" Raila was rhetorical and demanded that, any deliberations on the future electoral strategy of ODM have to be discussed internally and agreed upon.

He also warned members of the party not to make unilateral resolutions or make unauthorized pronouncements on the 2027 race.

As a party, we have made no resolutions as to how we will enter the election of 2027. In any case, wherever you go, do not put the party to anything without its being discussed. These things should first be discussed," Raila pointed out.

Although Raila never had a clear position on his own political future, he reiterated the promise of ODM to continue its partnering arrangement with the President Ruto government of Kenya Kwanza.

He said the alliance was to bring stability and growth till the expiry of the current administration in 2027. "And we must remain as ODM. Signed and agreed, we will not work beyond 2027, that is what we have signed and agreed upon, Raila said in emphasis of the memorandum of understanding between ODM and the ruling coalition.

The revelations of Onsarigo have sparked off the debate again over the long-term political ambitions of Raila and the legacy he intended to leave behind. Although his so-called choice to step aside may be seen by some as an act of statesmanship and maturity, others see it as a part of a larger realignment that may help redefine Kenyan politics before the next general election.