The family of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has signalled unconditional backing for President William Ruto, with key members publicly endorsing his re-election bid. This development comes amid deepening divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) following Raila's death in October 2025. The party is struggling to maintain its strongholds as internal factions openly clash over its political direction.
Ida Odinga spoke warmly about Ruto's role in her husband's political journey, recalling his support for Raila's presidential ambitions during the 2007 general election. She recalled that Ruto stood with Raila during the fiercely contested election, a fact she said many had forgotten. Ruto was part of the 2007 ODM Pentagon, a powerful politburo whose influence nearly pushed then-President Mwai Kibaki to the brink of defeat.
The clearest endorsement from the Raila family came from Raila Jnr, who lauded Ruto for his development efforts in Nyanza and declared his support for the President's 2027 re-election bid. Raila Jnr was installed as the official head of the Raila Odinga family on October 23, 2025, days after the burial of the former Prime Minister. His remarks follow a recent pattern of accompanying Ruto during engagements, especially in Nyanza, where he has repeatedly declared his political support.
Raila Jnr said his father and President Ruto had a shared vision on development and on devolving resources to the grassroots. The endorsements come as a surprise to many, given the historical ties between Raila's family and the ODM party. However, analysts see Ida's remarks as a calculated political endorsement, aimed at maintaining the family's influence in the region.
Ruto has himself gone flat out to court Raila's family and, in January, appointed Ida as Kenya's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi. The move is seen as a strategic effort to build alliances with key stakeholders in the region. Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi also joined the Odinga family in backing Ruto's 2027 re-election, arguing the political relationship between Ruto and Raila was genuine and rooted in a long history of working together.
The President urged the region to turn out in large numbers and cast their votes in next year's polls in honour of Raila. He described Raila as a great nationalist who held the country together and knew when to step back. The invite-only ceremony was attended by several high-profile leaders, including ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga and several governors and MPs from the region.
Meanwhile, Raila's daughter Winnie has called for a political ceasefire ahead of the October 15 commemoration of her father. She urged leaders across the political divide to set aside their differences and focus on celebrating his life and legacy. The event is expected to bring together people with different political convictions, including guests from neighbouring countries and beyond.
Key points
- - Key members of Raila Odinga's family have publicly endorsed President William Ruto's re-election bid. - The endorsements come amid deepening divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) following Raila's death in October 2025. - Ruto has been courting Raila's family, appointing Ida Odinga as Kenya's Ambassador to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi.
