NAIROBI, KENYA – The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has issued a stern rebuttal to President William Ruto, following his remarks that the late party leader Raila Odinga was his only formidable competitor for the 2027 general election. Speaking in Mombasa on Sunday, November 2, 2025, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna condemned the President's comments as disrespectful and declared that the party is poised to deliver a significant political surprise.

The political exchange began during the President's four-day development tour of Western Kenya, which concluded last week. On Thursday, October 30, 2025, while in Kakamega, President Ruto dismissed his current political rivals, stating, “The only person I would have competed with in 2027 is Raila. I will be done with these ones very early in the morning.” These comments, coming shortly after Mr. Odinga's passing on October 15, 2025, drew criticism for their timing and tone.

In response, Senator Sifuna, addressing ODM delegates, asserted that the party's foundation remains robust and is not dependent on a single individual. “Raila Odinga may be gone, but he left behind solid students who can take on anyone politically. ODM is not a one-man show — it's a movement built on strong ideals and leadership,” Sifuna stated. He further accused the President of premature campaigning and neglecting pressing national issues like the high cost of living.

Early Campaigns and Shifting Alliances

This war of words underscores the early onset of the 2027 campaign season, a trend that political analysts have noted with concern. For months, both the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and the opposition have engaged in activities widely seen as political mobilization, diverting focus from governance and service delivery. President Ruto's frequent tours, particularly to opposition strongholds, are viewed as strategic moves to consolidate support for his re-election bid.

The exchange also brings into focus the future of ODM in the post-Raila era. The party is currently navigating a delicate transition, with Raila's elder brother, Senator Oburu Odinga, serving as the acting party leader. While Oburu provides stability, the party faces an existential challenge to reinvent itself and institutionalize its leadership to remain a dominant force. Sifuna's declaration that ODM will field its own presidential candidate in 2027 is a clear message that the party intends to contest for power independently, dismissing speculation about simply joining a broader coalition. “We will go it alone as ODM. Don't be cheated that we will have broad-based candidates, because there is no party called broad-based,” Sifuna affirmed during the Mombasa meeting.

The AU Bid and Political Context

President Ruto's remarks are particularly notable given his government's prior, vigorous support for Raila Odinga's bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, a campaign that ultimately proved unsuccessful in February 2025. The government had established a campaign secretariat and committed significant diplomatic resources to back the former Prime Minister's candidacy. At the time, President Ruto stated his support was not about domestic politics but about securing a strategic position for Kenya on the continent. However, critics interpreted the move as a political calculation to remove a formidable opponent from the local scene ahead of 2027.

With the AUC bid concluded, the political landscape has reverted to a familiar adversarial posture. The opposition has continued to critique the government's economic policies, including high taxation and the rising cost of living, which remain key concerns for many Kenyans. For ODM, the upcoming by-elections in November are seen as a crucial test of its grassroots strength and a dress rehearsal for its 2027 strategy.

As the nation mourns a political icon, the battle lines for the next election are already being drawn. Sifuna's defiant stance signals that ODM, far from being weakened, is preparing for a major political contest. The coming months will reveal whether the party can translate its defiant rhetoric into a cohesive strategy capable of mounting the formidable challenge it promises in 2027.