ODM, Kenya Kwanza teams intensify Ruto re-election campaigns ahead of 2027 polls

Government-leaning leaders under the broad-based government arrangement have intensified campaigns to rally support for President William Ruto’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 General Election.

One faction, led by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), campaigned in Turkana North and Lodwar, honouring the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga while a separate Kenya Kwanza team traversed Western Kenya. 

ODM, led by party National Chairperson Gladys Wanga, vowed to face their political rivals in the 2027 General Election, insisting the party remained united and committed to working with President William Ruto.

“Sisi tumeamua kuwa hii uchaguzi tunaenda na William Ruto, ndio maana tunasema Usawa ni Sawa,” said Wanga.

ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati added, “Wengine walikuwa wanafikiria eti baada ya Baba kuaga ODM haitakuwepo... tumeamua kwamba tukashikiana.”

ODM leaders also weighed in on the 2027 General Election, dismissing claims that the party backed legislation to restrict livestreaming of election results.

“Wengine nasikia wanasema eti tulipitisha Bill ya kubana livestreaming, hiyo ni propaganda. Tunaambia Gachagua akitaka afanyiwe tafsiri atafute mtu anayeelewa Kiingereza,” said National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed.

Meanwhile, Raila Odinga’s son, Raila Junior, urged members to remain in ODM, saying the party belonged to them.

“Tukae kwa chama, hii chama ni chetu, siwezi toka kuenda chama ndogo,” Raila Junior stated.

Another broad-based government team campaigned in Western Kenya, dismissing the opposition as lacking direction and a clear strategy ahead of 2027.

Led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, the leaders cautioned Kenyans against entrusting the country’s political future to inexperienced politicians.

“Lakini saa hii tumepata vijana anazaliwa leo kesho anafikiri anajua kila kitu, msiingie hiyo mtego,” Wetangula noted.

Still in Western Kenya, Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli mocked leaders pledging to support Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

“Yaani niliskia kucheka kusema eti atasaidia Sifuna nikacheka tu, kama hawakusaidia wakati tulikuwa na Raila, sahii ndio watasaidia?” Atwoli posed.

The leaders also faulted People's Party of Kenya (PPK) leader Ndindi Nyoro over his remarks on Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) ownership, with Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet calling for scrutiny.

“Wewe don't lecture us on mambo ya kujenga taifa, jua wewe ni wheelbarrow ndogo huko. Serikali inafaa kuchunguza Ndindi Nyoro,” noted Kibet.

Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe added, “Eti walienda kuomba msamaha kwa mtu ambaye alikuwa anaenda kuleta ukabila nchini.”

Meanwhile, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale toured Sindo and Magunga in Homa Bay County, opening health facilities and criticising the opposition as he rallied support for President William Ruto’s re-election.