Tetu Member of Parliament Geoffrey Wandeto has suggested that Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga may not be on the presidential ballot in 2027, but will still play a defining role in shaping Kenya’s political direction.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s DayBreak on Tuesday, Wandeto argued that Odinga is tactically positioning himself to secure stronger leverage for himself and his allies.
“I see he could be raising the stake for a better deal,” Wandeto remarked. “I won’t be surprised if he forces the president to see even more between now and 2027 by simply appearing to pull back.”
Odinga recently marked ODM’s 20th anniversary, where he urged members to avoid making premature statements about the party’s 2027 plans. He emphasized the importance of aligning with the party’s broader political strategy rather than rushing into election talk.
Although the ODM leader has not officially declared his presidential ambitions, analysts believe he is keen on influencing both national and continental politics from a different platform.
“Baba is putting everyone on a guessing game,” Wandeto observed. “It is a continuation of his style of politics… yesterday he said he was just an ‘emergency doctor’ to save the ‘patient’ Kenya. Now that the ‘patient’ is in stable condition, he has no further responsibility.”
According to Wandeto, Odinga’s latest remarks also dampened the “Kumi bila break” campaign, which backs President William Ruto’s two-term agenda, while subtly boosting the “one term” movement.
For Wandeto, Odinga’s role in the next general election is not about candidacy but influence.
“But from where I sit, I doubt he will be on the ballot,” he said. “I think he will just be a stakeholder in the 2027 general election.”
Odinga’s silence on his personal ambitions has sparked speculation, ensuring that he remains a central figure in Kenya’s evolving political narrative.
