Winnie Odinga, MP for the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), is currently evaluating her stance on supporting President William Ruto’s re-election in the 2027 General Election. During a recent interview, she emphasized that the decision regarding whether the ODM party will support Ruto or introduce its own presidential candidate will ultimately rest with the party members during the National Delegates Convention (NDC).
When discussing her potential support for Ruto in 2027, Winnie acknowledged the complexity of the issue and stated that she has yet to reach a conclusion.
“This question certainly invites a thoughtful response, but I remain undecided,” she shared.
Winnie expressed her belief that ODM has not finalized its position on fielding a presidential candidate for the upcoming election. She highlighted the importance of following the party’s established structures to navigate the future.
“I don’t believe ODM has made a definitive choice regarding a presidential candidate for 2027. Our National Delegates Convention, scheduled for later this year, will be the platform where such crucial decisions are made,” she explained.
As the daughter of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Winnie advocated for empowering party members to shape ODM’s direction, cautioning against decisions made by a select few individuals.
“The party must prioritize the voices of its supporters and allow them to decide the path forward,” Winnie asserted.
She raised concerns about certain individuals within the party who seem to prioritize personal political ambitions over the desires of ODM supporters.
“There is a tendency for some to prioritize self-interest over the will of the people. It’s crucial that members have the opportunity to make their voices heard,” she remarked.
Reflecting on her father’s potential candidacy in 2027, Winnie suggested that Raila might have considered entering the race had he been alive, despite his current political cooperation with Ruto.
“Given the current public dissatisfaction and slow development, he might have felt compelled to run for president again,” she indicated.
Winnie clarified that her observations were not a critique of Ruto’s performance but rather an acknowledgment that more could be done to address the concerns of Kenyans.
On the subject of ODM potentially endorsing Ruto’s re-election bid, Winnie reiterated that this decision lies with the party and its members.
“Ultimately, it is up to ODM members to decide on endorsing Ruto. I cannot represent the views of all members, which is why the NDC plays a pivotal role,” she concluded.
