Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has declared that he will be active in local politics despite his interest in vying for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship.
The comment was clearly meant to caution political leaders who were impatiently angling to succeed him.
He spoke on Sunday in Ligisa Secondary School, Homa Bay county during a thanksgiving ceremony for the new ODM party Chair Gladys Wanga.
He told Kenyans not to count him out of Kenyan politics saying that vying for the AUC seat does not warrant anybody to count him out of Kenyan politics even as he expressed confidence of winning the AUC seat.
“I am confident of winning the AUC seat but that should not make anybody to write me off in local politics,” Odinga said.
He disclosed that ODM grassroots elections would be held on November 27 and that they would be conducted in wards, constituencies, counties and at the national levels
While likening the party elections to a friendly match which should not be acrimonious, Odinga told ODM supporters to participate in the election but shun away from divisive politics.
“I want all ODM members to consider the forthcoming ODM grass root elections as a friendly match. If one is defeated, please shake hands with the person who has defeated you. Don’t take it as a do or die contest,” Odinga said as he gave assurance that the elections would be conducted transparently.
“The people who are going to conduct the election are not going to come from Nairobi or anywhere else but from their localities. They will conduct the election transparently,” Odinga said.
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed also warned politicians against angling to succeed Odinga arguing that ODM still recognized Odinga as its leader.
“Anybody is allowed to express interest for any seat other than that of the party leader,” Mohammed said.
“We are aware of some politicians making attempts to succeed Odinga. We will fight them to the bitter end,” Mohammed said.
ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga also warned that Odinga’s post was not out for grabs.
“Raila is the only party leader we know. Let us work together towards strengthening this party to enable us to achieve our political objectives,” she said.
ODM Deputy Party Leader who is also the Kisii Governor Simba Arati Simba Arati announced that ODM would field a presidential candidate in 2027.
“I urge those in leadership positions to work hard to strengthen the party. We will have candidates for all the elective seats from the presidency to MCA level across the country in the next General Election,” Arati said.
Acting ODM Party leader Anyang’ Nyong’o called on the party officials to recruit members in big numbers.
“Let us all put our energies in membership registration to strengthen the party.” Nyong’o said.
Odinga was also accompanied by Homa Bay County ODM party Chairman Hamilton Orata, Governors Ochillo Ayacko (Migori), James Orengo (Siaya), Rangwe MP Lilian Gogo, her colleagues Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Town), Martin Owino (Ndhiwa), Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Eddy Oketch (Migori) and Senator Beatrice Ogola.
