NAIROBI, Kenya – Mama Ida Odinga has publicly endorsed her son, Raila Odinga Junior, to contest the Kibra parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election, setting the stage for his entry into elective politics.
Ida made the endorsement on Monday, August 24, 2026, during celebrations to mark her 76th birthday at her Karen home, where she addressed local leaders and hundreds of Kibra residents who had gathered for the occasion.
In backing her son, Ida said a delegation from Kibra had approached her and expressed its desire to see Raila Junior contest the constituency that holds a deep political connection to the Odinga family.
She said she had no reason to reject the request, invoking a popular Swahili proverb to explain her decision.
“A group from Kibra came to my office and told me they wanted Raila Junior to contest for the Kibra parliamentary seat. I told them that I will not refuse since ‘mtoto wa simba ni simba’, so today I hand him over to you people of Kibra.”
The endorsement marks a significant step for Raila Junior, who has largely remained outside elective politics despite his family’s long-standing political influence in Kibra and the wider Nyanza region.
Ida, however, made it clear that her son’s entry into politics should come with guidance from experienced leaders who understand the political terrain of Kibra.
She specifically appealed to veterans who worked with her late husband, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, urging them to take Raila Junior under their wing.
“There are people here who have been with Baba (Raila Odinga) since 1992, and you know how to win. Please hold his hand. Show him the way, correct him when he goes wrong, and teach him how to lead,” she said.
While endorsing her son, Ida also challenged him to approach the 2027 contest differently by focusing on issues affecting residents rather than engaging in political confrontations.
She urged him to avoid insults, violence and chaos during the campaign and instead spend time listening to voters and explaining how he intends to serve them.
“I want you to engage in clean politics. Do not go there to insult anyone, do not go there to fight, and do not encourage chaos. Go to the people, listen to them, and tell them what you will do for them,” Ida said.
Kibra has historically been closely associated with Raila Odinga’s political career. Before the creation of the current constituency boundaries, Raila represented the larger Lang’ata constituency, which included Kibra. The area subsequently became one of his strongest political bases.
Ida acknowledged the significance of the constituency to the family while urging her son to respect the relationship that his father built with residents over the years.
“Kibra has a special place in our hearts. It is a place where we began our political journey, and I know Junior will respect the people of Kibra just as his father did,” she said.
