Raila Odinga Junior has spoken out after his father, the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, publicly endorsed Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja for re-election in the 2027 general elections.
This endorsement has caused mixed reactions, especially within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), where several politicians had hoped for the party leader’s backing in their quest for Nairobi’s top seat.
One of those affected is Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who has been actively campaigning for the position and had expected support from Raila Odinga.
In a message shared on his X account, Raila Odinga Junior assured Babu Owino of his support despite his father’s decision to endorse Sakaja. His statement suggests that there is some level of disagreement within the Odinga family on who should lead Nairobi.
This has led to speculation about divisions within ODM, as many believed Raila would throw his weight behind a party member rather than an incumbent governor elected under President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Raila Odinga made the endorsement during a meeting at Bomas of Kenya, where he was seen standing alongside Sakaja.
During the event, he expressed his trust in the governor’s leadership and indicated that he believes Sakaja is the right person to run Nairobi if he himself wins the African Union Commission Chairperson position.
This statement was interpreted as a clear sign that Raila prefers Sakaja over any other aspirant in the race for Nairobi governor.
The move has now put Babu Owino in a difficult political position, as he must decide whether to continue his campaign without the full backing of the ODM leader or reconsider his strategy for 2027.
Sakaja’s endorsement by Raila Odinga has also raised questions about his political future. Many are now wondering if he will remain in UDA or shift allegiance to ODM in the coming years.
While he has not made any public statements about switching parties, political analysts believe that Raila’s support could influence Sakaja’s next move.
If Sakaja were to join ODM, it would change Nairobi’s politics and possibly weaken UDA’s influence in the capital.
Despite Raila Odinga’s endorsement of Sakaja, Raila Junior’s support for Babu Owino has sparked debate about whether ODM is truly united behind a single candidate.
Some ODM supporters believe that Raila’s endorsement is purely strategic and does not mean he has abandoned his party’s interests.
Others see it as a sign that he is willing to work with leaders across different political divides. This situation has left Nairobi voters with many questions about the direction of the upcoming elections and the realignment of political forces in the city.
As 2027 approaches, the battle for Nairobi’s top seat is set to become more intense, with both Sakaja and Babu Owino positioning themselves for the contest.
