Suba North Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo has dismissed the notion that President William Ruto will automatically receive support from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a public forum, Millie alleged that political negotiations in 2027 could take unexpected directions, including the possibility of asking Ruto to support Raila Odinga instead.
While the MP assured that ODM is committed to their agreement with Kenya Kwanza in the Broad-Based Government, this did not assure automatic support for Ruto in 2027.
“We have agreed that for purposes of stabilising the country, to stand with the broad-based arrangements up to 2027. And it is not automatic that it's a must that it is Ruto that we will support. Even Raila Odinga, we can also ask Honourable Ruto to support him, it is an issue of negotiation,” the MP said.
Millie's sentiments come in the wake of growing concerns about the future of the broad-based government arrangement, which was formed in 2024 to stabilise the country following youth-led protests.
The MP also took the opportunity to defend Raila's decision to work with Ruto, an arrangement that has faced widespread criticism from leaders within and outside ODM.
“We went through difficult times. I watched Raila Odinga almost being eliminated. So for him to choose to move the country forward, nobody should blame him for that,” the MP said.
Millie's sentiments align with those of Raila, who assured that the agreement will run until 2027, after which further discussions will take place.
Raila was speaking in Kakamega during an ODM delegates' forum, where he defended Edwin Sifuna from critics who had attacked him for expressing his views on the broad-based agreement and its progress.
Raila revealed that they are committed to the agreement up to 2027. After that, further discussions will determine whether the parties will continue working together or take separate paths.
Meanwhile, although 2027 is still two years away, discussions around the General Election have already begun to gain momentum.
Already, leaders allied to President Ruto, like Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, have started foreseeing the president's re-election following his recent meeting with former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
