KISUMU, Kenya — Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has ruled out seeking a direct ODM nomination as she prepares to contest for the Kisumu gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election, insisting she will participate in the party primaries and accept the outcome.
Ruth said she had never sought preferential treatment from her late brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and would not ask for a direct ticket now that he is deceased.
“I never asked for a direct party ticket when former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (Baba) was alive, and not now as well. All I ask for is a level playing field so that the best carries the day,” she said.
Ruth, who is seeking to succeed Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, acknowledged that her surname could create expectations that she would automatically receive the ODM nomination.
She said, however, that she had consistently opposed what she described as “kubebwa mkono juu” — being handed a direct party ticket without having to compete in primaries.
“For the record, as a politician, I have been against ‘kubebwa mkono juu’, which, in other words, means being given a direct ODM party ticket regardless of your popularity on the ground,” she said.
Ruth recounts previous political battles
Ruth said her decision to seek the Kisumu governorship was informed by years of political involvement and experience in the county.
She first contested the governor’s seat in 2013, following the introduction of devolved government under the 2010 Constitution.
She said she had previously been involved in the campaign for the adoption of the Constitution in Nyanza, which was led by her brother Oburu Oginga, who is now ODM party leader.
Ruth also pointed to her experience as the chief executive of a major Kisumu-based company that employed more than 700 people as part of the experience that motivated her to seek the county’s top executive position.
Her 2013 gubernatorial bid, however, coincided with Raila’s third presidential campaign. According to Ruth, some ODM leaders feared that her gubernatorial contest could affect her brother’s presidential support in Kisumu.
She nevertheless proceeded with the party nominations and defeated her closest rival, Jack Ranguma.
Ruth later withdrew from the gubernatorial contest and became Ranguma’s deputy, serving in that position for five years.
2017 contest shaped her political path
In 2017, ODM leaders selected Nyong’o as the party’s candidate for Kisumu governor.
Ruth said she was again advised against contesting for an elective position because of concerns over the political influence of the Odinga family.
She instead joined Nyong’o’s administration as a special adviser responsible for disaster management.
In 2022, Ruth said she could not challenge Nyong’o because he was seeking a second term. She subsequently focused on Raila’s presidential campaign before being advised to seek an elective position while supporting his presidential bid.
That decision led her to contest the Kisumu Woman Representative position.
Ruth said she could have accepted a direct ODM nomination but deliberately chose to compete in the party primaries.
She won the nomination and subsequently secured the parliamentary seat in the General Election with 304,419 votes, defeating her closest challenger, who received 80,117 votes.
‘Best political decision’
Ruth said the experience reinforced her belief that political parties should conduct competitive nominations rather than automatically hand candidates certificates.
“Looking back, that was one of the best political decisions I have ever made. Had I been handed the ODM certificate on a silver platter in 2022, ningeambia watu nini in 2027?” she said.
For Ruth, however, the message is clear: despite the political weight attached to the Odinga name, she wants to secure the party ticket through the same competitive process as other aspirants.
