Opposition leader Raila Odinga will return to his Nyanza stronghold on Sunday, marking his first visit since President William Ruto formed a broad-based government. This is Raila’s second trip to the politically charged region following the inclusion of several of his allies in Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.
The last time Raila was in Nyanza was on July 28, when he attended the burial of lawyer Evans Oruenjo in Alego Usonga, Siaya County. However, he skipped the homecoming celebrations of former ODM leaders who are now in the Cabinet, such as Cooperatives and SMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya, Treasury’s John Mbadi, Energy Minister Opiyo Wandayi, Blue Economy’s Hassan Joho, and Beatrice Askul, who oversees ASAL. Raila’s absence was noted during the August 24 event in Butere, where Minority Leader Junet Mohammed represented him.
On Sunday, Raila will lead ODM members to Olare in Homa Bay County for a thanksgiving ceremony hosted by Governor Gladys Wanga. Wanga recently took over as ODM’s national chairperson, a position previously held by Mbadi. Other ODM leaders, including Governors Simba Arati (Kisii), Abdulswamad (Mombasa), and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, have been appointed deputy party leaders. Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has stepped in as the acting party leader in Raila’s absence.
Wanga has invited supporters to what she described as a momentous ODM occasion. Raila, currently in Ethiopia for the launch of his chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC), is expected to return to Kenya on Sunday. He will first attend a media breakfast in Addis Ababa before flying to Nairobi and later to Homa Bay for the event, which will be held at Ligisa Secondary in Rangwe constituency.
The thanksgiving ceremony precedes ODM’s grassroots elections, which are set to take place later this month. The party’s National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) has confirmed that the elections will be held on November 27, with polling units in all 47 counties. The elections will determine leadership for three main committees: the Mainstream, Women League, and Youth League.
Each committee will elect a chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, organizing secretary, treasurer, women leader, youth leader, and three committee members. The Women and Youth League positions will include chairperson, secretary, organizing secretary, and three committee members each.
Meanwhile, President Ruto has been actively supporting Raila’s candidacy for the AUC chairmanship. On Thursday, Ruto met with African diplomats based in Ethiopia, and while he did not reveal specific details about his discussions on Raila’s role, it is believed he used the opportunity to lobby for his candidacy.
