Africa-Press – Kenya. Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has publicly declared her readiness to contest Kenya’s presidency in 2027, setting the stage for a possible political showdown with President William Ruto.
Speaking during a Christmas Day service at St. Peter’s Nyamira ACK Church, Ruth Odinga said she is prepared to step forward if the party fails to identify a suitable candidate to fly its flag in Kenya’s 2027 general elections.
Ruth Odinga Eyes 2027 Presidency
Ruth Odinga declared that she is ready to run for president if ODM fails to settle on a suitable candidate within its ranks.
“If you don’t find someone suitable within ODM ranks to go for the top seat in 2027, talk to me. I am here. This is a possibility,” she said.
Ruth Odinga also defended Raila’s national attributes, stating that he demonstrated statesmanship, as exemplified when he suggested names from different corners of the country for inclusion in the Cabinet as cabinet secretaries.
An Emotional Christmas Without Raila Odinga
In a statement, Odinga noted that this year’s Christmas service was painful for her family and the church community, as it was the first festive season without Raila Odinga, who had traditionally worshipped at the Nyamira church during Christmas.
”The absence of Raila was palpable. It was evidently in the air. Probably said in hushed tones within the pews. But to the Church community in Nyamira, there was an unmarked seat whose occupant was missing,” said Odinga.
The Kisumu Woman Representative also used the moment to defend Raila Odinga’s legacy, condemning individuals she accused of attempting to tarnish his name on social media a few months after his burial.
”It is unfortunate that barely two months after laying Rt. Hon. Raila is to rest; some characters are busy defaming his name and reputation, which he worked so hard to build over the years on social media. Shame on you,” said Ruth.
She noted that the party has five Cabinet Secretaries serving in President Ruto’s government, drawn from different regions of the country, and that only two of the Cabinet Secretaries are from the Luo Community.
She also said ODM is a national party, not a Luo party, since it has representation across the country. On December 26, 2026, via a Facebook post, she also defended her terms, saying ODM is a party of national unity.
