Former Azimio Coalition Press Secretary Dennis Onsarigo now claims that the late Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga had no intentions of contesting in the 2027 presidential race, contrary to widespread public speculation.
Speaking at an interview on Wednesday, November 12, Onsarigo suggested that the veteran opposition leader had instead positioned himself to support a political faction committed to advancing the country’s development agenda.
Onsarigo argued that Raila’s political trajectory and the strategic appointments he influenced within the current government signal a shift in his priorities from personal ambition to community empowerment.
“There’s no community that has suffered a heavy political loss so that this country can be where it is, like the Luo community, to be very honest. So I think he got also to a point and said what can I give back to my people or to the political basis that have supported me over the time especially,” Onsarigo stated.
The former press secretary pointed to key Cabinet appointments as evidence of Raila’s new political calculus, explicitly mentioning the nominations of Hassan Joho, Opiyo Wandayi, and John Mbadi to government positions.
He categorically dismissed theories that Raila was positioning himself for another presidential bid in 2027.
“And I don’t think he was; people were saying there was planning to run in 2027. No, I don’t think he was planning to run. I think he was planning to support a side that wanted to take this country to another level,” he said.
Onsarigo further claimed that Raila had mellowed politically and expressed confidence that the ODM leader would have maintained his alliance with President William Ruto through to the end of the current term.
“I don’t think that was going to happen. I think Raila Odinga had mellowed. So I have a feeling he could have gone all the way with President Ruto to the end. That is my feeling,” the former spokesperson stated.
These claims stand in contrast to Raila’s own statements made during an ODM parliamentary group meeting in Machakos County in September, where he challenged assumptions about the party’s electoral strategy.
“We are ODM. Who has told you that ODM will not have a candidate in 2027? Who has told you?” Raila questioned the speculation at the time, pushing back against the idea that his party would sit out the presidential race.
The ODM leader had cautioned party members against making unauthorized commitments on behalf of the party, emphasizing that no formal decisions had been reached regarding the 2027 elections.
“We have not passed any resolutions as a party to say how we are going into the election of 2027. So wherever you are, don’t commit the party to some things that have not been discussed. Let those things be discussed first,” Raila stated.
He also reaffirmed ODM’s commitment to its cooperation agreement with the Kenya Kwanza administration, which extends through 2027.
“And we must remain as ODM. And we have signed and agreed that we will work together up to 2027,” he noted, referencing the memorandum of understanding between his party and President Ruto’s government.
