Tom Ojienda: Raila’s political base will hand Ruto second term in 2027
Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda has claimed that the political base built by the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will play a key role in securing President William Ruto a second term in the 2027 General Election. Ojienda said Raila’s political network and supporters had become an important pillar of the broad-based political arrangement between […]
Senator Tom Ojienda has asserted that the political foundation established by the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will play a significant role in securing President William Ruto a second term during the 2027 General Election. Ojienda highlighted that Raila's network and supporters have become a crucial pillar of the political partnership between Ruto and the late Prime Minister prior to his demise.
In an interview on Thursday, October 8, 2026, Ojienda stated, "In 2027, the second term that will be handed over to William Ruto will be because of the strong region and party that Raila built." Despite the election being over a year away, Ojienda remains confident about Ruto's re-election, remarking, "We are seeing a re-election that is so clear, unless you are blind."
In response, Ayub questioned Ojienda's certainty about the outcome of the 2027 contest. While discussing Raila's political legacy, Ojienda described the former Prime Minister as a unique figure in Kenya's political history, acknowledging his relationships with successive presidents and his involvement in major political agreements.
Raila had served under former President Daniel arap Moi, worked with President Mwai Kibaki, participated in the 2018 political truce with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and subsequently joined Ruto in the broad-based government arrangement. Ojienda emphasized that Raila's influence extended beyond individual elections, attributing the impact of his legacy through the ODM party and the supporters he mobilized over the years.
Additionally, Ojienda argued that the collaboration between Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Raila's political base has reshaped Kenya's political landscape ahead of the 2027 election. However, it is important to note that Ojienda's prediction of Ruto's re-election is a political forecast, as the ultimate outcome of the 2027 presidential contest will be determined by the voters through the ballot.
Recent opinion polls present a more nuanced picture of the political landscape in Nyanza. According to the Infotrak Voice of the People poll conducted in June 2026, the ODM party holds a 50% party preference in Nyanza, whereas the UDA party preference stands at 13%. Nationally, the two parties are almost evenly matched, with UDA at 22% and ODM at 21%.
Despite these figures, the poll indicates that President William Ruto has gained significant support in Nyanza, recording 40% support in the region, his strongest showing outside North Eastern and Rift Valley. Among ODM supporters nationally, Ruto also secures 38% support, while Edwin Sifuna receives 23% and Fred Matiang'i garners 7%.
This presents a more intricate perspective for Ojienda's argument: Ruto has indeed gained support in Nyanza, but it does not indicate a complete transfer of ODM's entire political base into the UDA camp. In fact, the poll cautions that regional political influence does not automatically translate into a complete shift in voting patterns.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
