Wamuzi News Ke
A high-stakes political offensive is quietly gaining momentum to force former Prime Minister Raila Odinga back onto the 2027 presidential ballot—triggering a fierce new battlefront aimed at unseating President William Ruto amid growing national discontent.
Multiple sources across opposition circles and within the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition have confirmed to The Brief Daily that strategic meetings, closed-door consultations, and grassroots mobilization have been underway for months—part of a covert but calculated push to revive Raila’s candidacy.
The emerging movement is not just about nostalgia or unfinished political missions. It is driven by a widespread fear that President Ruto, amid an increasingly unpopular economic regime and shifting alliances, could secure a second term by default—if not challenged by a figure of Odinga’s stature and reach.
A Calculated Political Rescue Plan
Those pushing for Raila’s sixth run describe it as a “patriotic necessity” rather than a personal ambition. They argue that no other opposition figure can match the former prime minister’s national appeal, name recognition, and cross-regional influence—elements deemed critical to halting Ruto’s consolidation of power.
“Raila is the only viable counterweight,” a senior ODM insider who requested anonymity said. “Without him, the race becomes Ruto’s coronation. That’s not an election—it’s surrender.”
This mounting urgency comes as Ruto continues to lose traction in some key regions, particularly Mount Kenya, where economic grievances and perceived betrayal over leadership positions have fractured support.
Raila’s Political Dilemma
Odinga, who recently lost his bid for African Union Commission chairmanship, has yet to publicly signal interest in a 2027 run. However, analysts say his political machinery has remained intact—well-oiled and ready for activation.
What remains unclear is whether Raila is willing to plunge once again into the brutal terrain of presidential politics, especially after multiple failed attempts and shifting loyalties even within his own coalition.
Still, observers believe that his recent diplomatic setbacks and the changing tides in regional politics could present the perfect backdrop for a dramatic domestic return.
“He has the brand, the machinery, and the grievance narrative. All he needs is the will,” said political analyst Irene Wekesa.
Azimio’s Risk of Collapse Without Raila
Azimio’s leadership is facing a looming identity crisis. With Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka positioning himself as a potential flagbearer, infighting and factionalism are beginning to crack the coalition’s unity.
Multiple governors, lawmakers, and strategists reportedly fear that without Raila at the helm, Azimio would not only fragment but lose its capacity to rally a national voter bloc capable of disrupting Ruto’s dominance.
The urgency to unify under a single powerhouse candidate is therefore fueling the behind-the-scenes lobbying for Raila’s return, even if reluctantly.
Ruto’s Quiet Counteroffensive
On the other side, President Ruto is not sitting idle. Sources close to State House confirm that a new political outfit—expected to mirror a “pan-Kenyan, post-UDA movement”—is already in the works. The goal: build a broader base that neutralizes the Raila threat before it fully crystallizes.
Interior strategists within Kenya Kwanza are reportedly tracking the Raila mobilisation with growing concern, particularly as anti-government protests, youth dissatisfaction, and food inflation dominate public discourse.
“If Raila declares his candidacy by early 2026, the entire game changes,” said a source within Ruto’s advisory team. “He remains the single most disruptive force to our second-term plan.”
The Unfinished War
For millions of Kenyans, the thought of another Raila-Ruto faceoff may appear repetitive—another chapter in a long political soap opera. But insiders say 2027 would be different: a referendum not just on leadership, but on the economic direction of the country and the legitimacy of power.
“This isn’t just about Raila or Ruto,” said governance expert Dr. Moses Kimathi. “It’s about a country reeling from broken promises and seeking a reset button. Whoever captures that narrative wins.”
The Final Push
Whether Raila will heed the mounting calls remains to be seen. But what is now undeniable is that a movement is growing in silence, gaining pace, and preparing for war.
Kenya’s political climate is heating up once again—and with less than two years to the next election, the opposition’s gamble on an Odinga comeback could turn into the single most consequential decision in the country’s democratic history.
This is no ordinary campaign. It’s a resurrection plan. And its success or failure could rewrite Kenya’s political destiny.
