Political Scientist Mutahi Ngunyi on Monday, November 14, sparked a debate round Azimio leader Raila Odninga's succession after he endorsed Siaya Governor James Orengo as the next Luo Kingpin and Kenyan president in 2027.
“I think Jimmy Orengo should run for President in 2027, he has the Luo Panache,” Ngunyi stated, sparking a fierce debate.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, political analyst Maimuna Mwidau trivialized Ngunyi’s sentiments by opining that Orengo was not a top contender for the top seat.
“Ngunyi’s endorsement of Orengo is neither here nor there, he cannot determine the politics of Nyanza as long as Raila Odinga is still active in politics,” she noted.
There has been ongoing debate if Raila should be on the ballot in 2027 or he should endorse someone else considering that he has vied unsuccessfully five times and also he will be 82 years old in next general election.
According to Maimuna, Raila cannot retire on the basis of age and in unlikely case he quits active politics, his support base cannot be passed on to another person.
“A leader like Raila Odinga holds his own at any time in politics and that is not transferrable, if Orengo wants to become Nyanza kingpin he ought to chart his own path,” she told Kenyans.co.ke.
On whom Raila will support should he decide not to vie, Maimuna remarked, “He will only endorse a person he can trust with all his heart and one who is widely accepted by his supporters.”
Ngunyi had stated that Ruto rose against all odds to become president and while that is remarkable, it means someone like Orengo can unseat him in 2027.
“Ruto will do his two terms as long as he holds his base in Mt Kenya but should he lose footing in the mountain, then we will have a new president in 2027,” Maimuna countered Ngunyi.
Maimuna added that the chances of Ruto losing Mt Kenya and subsequent presidency are minimal.
“Ruto is very strategic in planning ahead, that is ahead of others in planning, so him being a one term president may not be real at this point in time,” she explained.
Ngunyi’s statement also attracted mixed reactions from a section of Kenyans, who opined that Orengo does not have the qualities to become the next president.
“Even Orengo knows that he is fast approaching political sunset and that is why he quit national politics to vie in Siaya,” Miriti Mutugi told Ngunyi.
Edugi Semba while seemingly agreeing with Mutugi stated, “Jimmy’s glory days outside Kisumu are long gone and he cannot sustain a national campaign.”
