East African Legislative Assembly member Winnie Odinga has stated that her late father, Raila Odinga, would probably have run for president again if he were alive today. She cited Kenya's ongoing political and economic difficulties as potential motivators for a renewed presidential bid.
In an interview aired on August 1, 2026, Winnie noted the widespread public dissatisfaction and slow pace of development as factors that might have influenced Raila, who passed away in October 2025 after a long political career marked by five presidential attempts and significant opposition leadership.
Raila’s Political Legacy and Possible Return
Winnie Odinga’s comments offer insight into how Raila might have reacted to Kenya’s evolving political landscape. Despite his previous cooperation with President William Ruto under the broad-based government arrangement aimed at easing political tensions, she suggested that changing circumstances could have prompted him to re-enter the presidential race.
"If you look at today and the dissatisfaction of people, slow development, he may possibly have joined the race," she said.
Clarifying Intentions and ODM’s Position
Winnie was careful to clarify that her remarks were not a critique of President Ruto’s administration but rather reflected widespread public concerns about governance and development issues. When asked if she would support Ruto in the 2027 election, she said she had not yet made a decision.
Regarding the Orange Democratic Movement’s strategy for the upcoming general election, Winnie emphasized that the party has not finalized its plans. She stressed that any decision on whether ODM will field a presidential candidate or endorse another contender, including President Ruto, will be made by party members during the National Delegates Convention (NDC).
"On endorsing Ruto, it is the ODM members who will decide. I cannot speak for all members, and that is where the NDC comes in," she explained, adding that internal party democracy must be preserved to avoid dominance by a few influential figures.
Ongoing Debate Within ODM
Her statements come amid ongoing speculation about ODM’s future following its collaboration with the Kenya Kwanza administration through the broad-based government framework. This cooperation has sparked discussions about whether ODM might support President Ruto’s re-election or pursue an independent path in 2027, with varied opinions among party leaders.
Raila Odinga’s Enduring Impact
Raila Odinga remains a towering figure in Kenyan politics even after his death. Known as a key architect of multi-party democracy and devolution reforms, his influence continues to shape the nation’s political discourse. While it is impossible to know definitively what choice he would have made, Winnie Odinga believes the current political climate could have persuaded him to seek the presidency once more.
