NAIROBI, Kenya- The political corridors are buzzing—loud, restless, and unrelenting.
Tongues are wagging, opinions flying, and narratives shifting ever so dramatically after Raila Odinga’s unsuccessful bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
The failed attempt has cracked open a floodgate of unsolicited thoughts, some measured, others wildly unhinged.
In a surprising turn, Kenya Kwanza allies—once his fiercest critics—are now bending over backward to accommodate the former Prime Minister.
From championing his AUC bid with impassioned rhetoric about how he was Kenya’s best bet, to this sudden outpouring of goodwill, the transformation is nothing short of spectacular.
Peculiar times indeed.
The delegation that escorted him to Addis Ababa—expenses notwithstanding—was a clear signal.
But what followed was even more telling. The once-hostile political forces now seem determined to woo Raila into their fold, subtly laying the groundwork as the 2027 campaign season looms. Is this a well-coordinated Kenya Kwanza strategy or just politicians being politicians? The intrigue deepens.
Meanwhile, within Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya, uncertainty reigns.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) heavyweights are at odds on the next course of action following the AUC loss.
Their stance is further complicated by a recent court ruling that threw the parliamentary majority status into question. Some speak with defiance, others with hesitation, as they navigate the fallout.
Then there’s the impeached Deputy President, a known critic of the establishment, who has chosen a more measured approach this time.
His response to Raila’s loss was unusually cautious—a strategic move, perhaps? A bid to expand his alliances in preparation for a yet-to-be-revealed agenda?
His restraint raises more questions than answers.
But the biggest anomaly in all of this is Raila himself.
Always a man of action, the former Premier has opted for an uncharacteristic retreat.
Since his speech in Addis Ababa, where he stood surrounded by a Kenyan delegation that had put its weight behind him, he has slipped into silence. No grand pronouncements, no political rallies, no cryptic statements. Just silence.
Is he recalibrating? Strategizing his next political offensive? Preparing for a major realignment within ODM? Whatever the case, the anticipation is palpable.
One thing remains certain—if Raila does return to the trenches, he will be President Ruto’s most formidable nightmare.
Yet, his chances of mounting a decisive challenge hinge entirely on his next steps. How he realigns his troops, whether ODM remains intact and receptive to change, and if his brand of politics can still command unwavering loyalty.
But here’s the twist—Ruto may not even need Raila as his opposition. The people themselves have taken up the role, holding his administration to account at every turn.
Whether through protests, social media discourse, or civic activism, Kenyans are proving that checks and balances no longer rest solely on political heavyweights.
So, as Raila contemplates his next move, the political chessboard remains as unpredictable as ever.
And in the noise, one truth stands out—Raila Odinga is, and always will be, a conversation.
