Kenya Kwanza MP Urges William Ruto to Nominate Raila Odinga as Running Mate in 2027

• Kenya Kwanza MP Musa Sirma endorsed Raila Odinga as President William Ruto’s preferred running mate for the 2027 election
• Sirma argued that a Ruto-Raila ticket could unite votes from Nyanza and Rift Valley, boosting Ruto’s chances of re-election
• While echoing Sirma's response, Energy Cabinet secretary Opiyo Wandayi dismissed opposition promises of making Raila president

Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya

Remarks by Kenya Kwanza MP Musa Sirma that ODM boss Raila Odinga should deputise President William Ruto could potentially shake up the political landscape in 2027.

Can Raila be Ruto’s running mate?

While speaking on Monday, June 2, during the Kapyemit Last Mile Electrification project in Eldama Ravine constituency, the MP said that Ruto’s choice of Raila as running mate would help him win votes in Nyanza, which are crucial for securing re-election in 2027.

Sirma said Ruto supported Raila in the 2007 General Election and that if Ruto nominates Raila as his running mate, the people of the Rift Valley region will fully back him.

“What we are saying right now, if the people in Nyanza and Rift Valley join forces, the country will shake. This is because in 2007, we won, but our votes were stolen. Today, we are in the government, and we can't be defeated if we have Baba on our side," Sirma said.

While endorsing the MP's comments, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said he had told Raila to ignore the opposition’s promises of making him president.

Wandayi further made a bold claim, insisting the opposition has no influence or power to make Raila president because they are already sidelined from government.

He suggested that their promises are empty and unlikely to sway the political landscape, casting doubt on their ability to shape the 2027 election.

“We have already told Baba, if they are outside the government, how can they make him president? There is nothing like that," Wandayi said.

Do Kenyans want Raila to vie for presidency?

This follows the release of a recent TIFA research survey that provided new insights into Raila's political direction as Kenya gears up for the 2027 elections.

The findings, published on Wednesday, May 28, revealed that a significant portion of the Kenyan population anticipated that the ODM leader would feature prominently on the presidential ballot.

According to the poll, 46% of respondents believe Raila will re-align with the opposition ahead of the upcoming election cycle.

Within this group, 28% think he will actively contest the presidency as an opposition candidate, while 18% expect him to throw his support behind another contender rather than run himself.

Meanwhile, the survey showed that 23% of those questioned foresee Raila backing Ruto in his bid for a second term.

This suggested a level of uncertainty or shifting alliances as political dynamics continue to evolve in the country.

In addition to opinions on Raila’s political moves, the TIFA Research poll delved into public sentiment regarding the broad-based government agreement—a power-sharing arrangement aimed at promoting national unity.

The results revealed a divided populace: 54% of respondents expressed opposition to the agreement, while 22% supported it.

Notably, a quarter of those surveyed remain undecided or ambivalent about the deal, reflecting ongoing debates and mixed feelings about its effectiveness and future.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke