Succession Politics Ignite After Odinga's Death

NAIROBI – In a startling political development following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, his adopted son, Oketch Salah, has claimed the veteran opposition leader planned to endorse President William Ruto for the 2027 General Election. The statement, made on Friday, October 24, 2025, during a visit to the late leader's brother and acting ODM party leader, Oburu Oginga, in Bondo, has sent shockwaves through Kenya's political circles, potentially heralding a significant realignment ahead of the next election cycle.

Salah recounted a conversation he allegedly had with Odinga in India, where the former Prime Minister was receiving medical treatment before his passing on October 15, 2025. "Baba wanted to back Ruto. I am telling you today. He said that he wanted ODM to be strong so that when we endorse Ruto, it might be impactful," Salah stated. He asserted that Odinga's goal was to strengthen the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to make its support for the incumbent president more influential. This revelation comes at a time of profound grief and uncertainty for the ODM party, which is navigating a future without its charismatic founder.

ODM at a Crossroads

The alleged plan for a Ruto endorsement complicates an already fluid succession battle within the Odinga political dynasty and the ODM party. Prior to his death, Odinga had urged party members to remain united and strategic, even hinting at the possibility of fielding an ODM candidate in 2027. In a meeting at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi before his trip to India, Odinga reportedly instructed senior party officials to focus on strengthening the party. Those present included Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, who recalled Odinga being in high spirits.

Salah's statement appears to contradict the sentiments of some ODM members, like Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who had previously expressed reservations about backing Ruto. The party is now faced with reconciling these competing visions for its future. During the same event in Bondo where Salah made his remarks, ODM delegates from Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, and Homa Bay counties endorsed Oburu Oginga to succeed his brother as party leader, citing his extensive political experience.

The Family's Cultural Succession

Separate from the political leadership of the ODM party, the Odinga family has also undergone a traditional Luo succession ceremony. On Thursday, October 23, 2025, Raila Odinga Junior was installed as the head of the immediate household in a cultural ritual known as 'liedo' at the family's Bondo home. The ceremony, led by Oburu Oginga as the new family patriarch, was emphasized as a cultural, not political, transfer of authority. "The seat of power in this home is now with Junior, together with his mother. He must stand firm and lead the home in our culture," Oginga stated. This cultural transition signifies continuity for the family, but the political ramifications of Raila Odinga's passing are still unfolding.

Implications for Kenyan Politics

The claims of a planned Odinga-Ruto alliance, if substantiated, could dramatically alter the 2027 electoral map. Odinga's vast support base, particularly in the Nyanza region, has been a critical factor in Kenyan elections for decades. An endorsement of Ruto would have been a monumental shift in Kenyan politics, uniting two formidable, and often rival, political forces. However, with Odinga's passing, it remains uncertain how his supporters will react to this posthumous revelation or who will ultimately inherit his political mantle. There has also been speculation about Odinga's other children, with Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale claiming that Raila had initially preferred his daughter Rosemary as his political successor before her illness. The coming months will be a crucial test for the ODM party's unity and its ability to navigate the complex political landscape without its iconic leader. The nation now watches to see whether Salah's claims will influence the party's direction or be dismissed as part of the ongoing succession struggle.