Azimio Coalition and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party leader Raila Odinga arrived at Gusii Stadium in Kisii County to grace the Shabana FC kits launch, but the atmosphere was anything but welcoming.
Chants of "Raila must go!" "Ruto Must Go!" echoed through the stadium as sections of the crowd expressed their discontent at the Former Prime Minister, in a region he has often enjoyed support.
The event highlighted growing frustrations among the Abagusii community and other Kenyans who feel alienated from the current political landscape. Many voiced their support for former CS Fred Matiang’i, signaling a shift in political allegiance and dissatisfaction at the Former PM for dismissing Matiang'i's bid.
Speaking on Thursday, March 6, after holding a consultative meeting in Kisii County, Raila said Matiang’i cannot be elected solely based on support from his ethnic community.
The former premier noted that Matiang’i would need the support of the whole country for him to be elected as Head of State.
“There is nothing like a community producing a candidate. You cannot be elected the President of Kenya on the basis of Kisii votes, Luo votes, Luhya votes, or even Mount Kenya votes. If you want to be elected, you will be elected by Kenyans generally,” Raila stated.
The ODM leader also pointed out that Matiang’i is yet to publicly declare his presidential bid, adding that they will address that matter when the time is right.
“That is something we will deal with when the right time comes. Mr Matiang’i has not yet come out to speak and clarify that he wants to run for the presidency,” Raila added.
On January 25, the Jubilee Party endorsed Matiang’i as its presidential candidate in the 2027 general election.
Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni urged the leaders to start mass grassroots registration of Jubilee party members to ensure Matiang’i clinches the top seat.
“Fred Matiang’i is the one they are saying is in Jubilee. He worked with the party for 10 years. So, we as the Jubilee party have our own candidate, Fred Matiang’i. He will face off with other candidates to ensure President William Ruto goes home. You have to start registrations and send the message to the people, and we don’t want fights,” Kioni remarked.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonk, while attending the launch of Martha Karua’s People’s Liberation Party (PLP), announced that Matiang’i is expected to resign from his position at the World Bank and return to Kenya.
Meanwhile, Raila since his disapproval of Fred's Presidential bid, has since joined President Ruto's administration.
Meanwhile, President William Ruto said that his Memorandum of Understanding with Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Raila Odinga has nothing to do with his 2027 re-election bid.
Speaking on Friday, March 7, after the two signed a Memorandum of Understanding, Mr. Ruto assured Kenyans that signing the agreement was the right decision for the country.
“It might not be the most popular decision. Our country is going through major shifts across social and economic spheres.”
According to Ruto, there were those who advised him that his support for Raila could energise the Orange Party leader to later turn against him and pose a challenge in the 2027 presidential contest.
“But there are those who told me that by supporting him, I would empower him so that he could come and compete with me. We have been working under a broad-based arrangement, inspired not by our own needs but by the necessity of closing ranks to deal with issues affecting Kenyans,” said Ruto.
Ruto said that his support for Odinga’s failed African Union Commission chairmanship bid was not intended to entice the veteran politician to drop his own political aspirations or support his re-election bid.
“My support for him was not conditioned on him dropping his aspirations for whatever position. My support for him was because he deserved it as a Kenyan,” said Ruto.
Odinga, on his part, said the main aim of the agreement was not their interests but a fresh approach to tackling the challenges bedevilling the country.
“The cardinal goal of the MoU is to help ease the prevailing tension. All Kenyans must feel that they belong here by right and have the right to access, without any form of discrimination, whatever Kenya has to offer,” said Odinga.
He added that the agreement between him and Ruto is ‘truly national and inclusive’, pledging an end to political grandstanding to spur growth.
Odinga stated that the agreement is meant to bring together voices from both political parties to address the critical challenges facing the country.
He also indicated that the successful implementation of the MoU will form the basis of a robust framework for delivering to the people of Kenya. He explained that the deal was a product of ‘random sampling’ of members during consultation forums in Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nairobi.
However, Dissatisfaction with the government is mounting, with grievances ranging from high taxation and corruption to the abductions and killings of Gen Z protesters. The message from Kisii was clear—people are tired of what they see as political deception and poor leadership.
