Analysts argue that Raila Odinga has no chance against President William Ruto in 2027, adding that the 2022 race was his fifth and last stab at the presidency.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Sunday, December 18, political analyst Martin Andati countered Jubilee vice chairman, David Murathe, and secretary-general, Jeremiah Kioni, who opined that Mt Kenya will eventually lead the line in Kenyans turning against Ruto.
“Raila Odinga’s best years are behind him. His age is not on his side and will be a difficult sale in the region, he needs to start grooming another leader in Azimio,” Andati remarked.
With the 2022 general elections now done and dusted, Murathe and Kioni argued that the high cost of living and taxation will prompt Mt Kenya to turn towards Raila.
The two leaders, considered former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s closest allies, alluded to Daily Nation that by 2027, the central region will hate Ruto more.
“For now, our strategies will depend on our Azimio leader, Raila Odinga. I can tell you that if he decided to run in 2027, some of us will support him. He is our leader, and we shall look up to him to show us the way," Murathe stated on Saturday, December 17.
Just like Andati told Kenyans.co.ke about Raila grooming another leader, Murathe asserted that some of Raila's staunch supporters will support any leader endorsed by the former Prime Minister.
"But if someone else will not rise, then Raila remains our candidate. Mt Kenya needs someone they can trust, and as of now, Raila is the only person they can follow, for, in 2027, they will have hated President Ruto more,” he argued.
Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni also refuted reports that Azimio was divided, insisting that Odinga was their leader.
"Without a doubt, many aspirants like Eugene Wamalwa (former Defence CS) have declared their interest in the 2027 presidential race, but Raila remains our preferred candidate," he remarked.
Azimio coalition was marred by affiliate parties' unwillingness to corporate with Raila, with Jubilee luminaries initially threatening to decamp from the Azimio coalition citing contempt from the Orange Democratic Party.
Lawmakers led by Nominated MP Sabina Chege stated that Jubilee was shortchanged in sharing Parliamentary Service Commission slots available for the opposition faction.
In what will be a tough political balancing act for the Jubilee party, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua gave Jubilee party's Mt Kenya politicians up to December 31 to defect from the party and join him in United Democratic Alliance Party (UDA).
Gachagua also embarked on a charm offensive to win Jubilee leaders, from EALA MP-elect Kanini Kega and former Nyeri MP, Ngunjiri Wambugu.
Reports also alleged that Uhuru was plotting to resign as the chairperson of Azimio La Umoja council, to focus on his peace envoy duty, a role he was appointed to by President Ruto.
The developments put Raila in a dilemma, especially after he detailed plans to orchestrate nationwide demonstrations in protest of Ruto's administration.
Insiders close to the president claimed that Uhuru reached out to Raila to cancel the demos, reports Raila refuted.
Others claimed that Raila called off the protests after learning of Ruto's plan to create for him the office of the official opposition leader. Raila also rejected the reports, stating that he was not bullied as alleged.
Nonetheless, he spoke against Ruto's plan to allegedly neutralise the Independence Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), by kicking out commissioners who rejected his declaration as president-elect. He claimed that Ruto was already plotting to rig the 2022 elections.
“Ruto is repeating the same mistake (Mwai) Kibaki did in 2007 when he unilaterally appointed IEBC commissioners, leading to a bungled election. It is unfortunate he has not learnt from history,” Raila lamented, clearly indicating that he had a special interest in the 2027 elections.
