As early predicted by political pundits, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga signalled his intention to join the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration, saying it was time for all Kenyans to move forward as a nation.

Raila spoke outside the Siaya County government offices on his second day of “consultations” with Kenyans ahead of his highly anticipated announcement on his way forward after losing the African Union Commission’s (AUC) chairperson bid.

“I am consulting wisely; I have asked the leadership that I have met here today what they think about my consultations, and they have given me the green light, saying that I should go ahead,” said Raila.

Siaya Governor James Orengo said the county leadership was in support of the former premier’s move and has given him the go-ahead with the consultations.

“Baba (Raila) cannot go wrong when he is out to work for the people, and I am certain that we are going to have a structured relationship as we engage with other parties, including people in or outside government,” said Governor Orengo.

Presidential advisor?

Raila embarked on his consultation engagements hours after he met President Ruto at the State House in Mombasa for a closed-door meeting on February 24.

Raila announced that he would consult his supporters before outlining his political roadmap. But when reached for comment, Prof. David Kikaya told PD Wikendi that Raila won’t join the Kenya Kwanza government fully.

“The much that Raila can be given in this government is being appointed a presidential advisor. Almost the same role that retired president Uhuru Kenyatta is playing in the Democratic Republic of Congo crisis,” said Prof. Kikaya.

Prof. Kikaya further observed that there is a possibility that Raila is out to ensure that Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party gets more CSs and PSs slots in President Ruto’s government.

But amid the ongoing political realignments, Willis Otieno, deputy party leader Safina observed that Raila should be on the ballot in the 2027 General Elections.

According to Otieno, of the 6.5 million votes that Raila got he has lost on average one million votes he got from Mt Kenya.

“Maybe he has lost all those from Ukambani that Kalonzo brought to him, so he has 5.3 million votes while William Ruto has 2.7 million votes. He is running on Raila’s energy,” explained Otieno.

Otieno, a lawyer by profession said if he was in Raila’s inner circle he would demand for the country’s top seat.

“Since I had the most votes in this arrangement I should become the president. I would stand my ground a demand the position of president,” added Otieno.

He urged the ODM party to demand for the presidency in favour of Raila otherwise the country will soon witness people around Raila going to demand for positions like CSs, PSs and ambassadorial appointments.
“Since 2013, there is only one person in that political space that when everybody around him gets seats who never gets anything and that is Raila himself,” stated Otieno.

Following the meeting between President Ruto and Raila, former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua challenged Raila to declare his political stand fresh from his fall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Speaking to Kamba vernacular media stations, Gachagua challenged Raila on not been candid about his next political course.

“We don’t understand Raila; we don’t know what he wants. However, we are still waiting for him to declare his next move so that we can know how best we can team up with him,” said Gachagua.

According to Gachagua, should Raila choose to tarnish his good legacy by joining forces with Ruto, it is within his democratic right.

“Most of the votes that Raila garnered in the 2022 General Election came from Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. Kisii is gone; Mt. Kenya, where he got 1.1 million votes, is also gone. So, there is nothing big that he (Raila) will take to President Ruto,” said Gachagua.

Gachagua’s sentiments came at a time when President Ruto’s close allies like Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei and Belgut MP Nelson Koech have specifically advocated for creating a Prime Minister position for Raila.

In a statement posted on his X account on February 17, Cherargei emphasised the importance of utilising Raila’s experience in Kenya’s governance structure.

“We cannot allow such brilliant leadership and experience to go to waste the way the African Union did. This is the only way we can appreciate and reward him for his fight for the rule of law and democracy in Kenya,” Cherargei stated.

Speaking in a TV interview, MP Koech echoed Cherargei’s sentiments, calling on the Kenya Kwanza to create a suitable role for Raila in government.

“We have to find a structure that will accommodate Raila. Whichever position accommodates him, we have to find that position. We could relook at the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report,” Koech proposed.

“We could even do better by having the office of the Prime Minister,” he added.

However, lawyer Julius Mirii elaborated that to establish the PM office, there is a need to amend the constitution since it is an office that was not provided for under the supreme law.

According to Mirii, the constitution can be amended in two ways: through a parliamentary-driven process or popular initiative (referendum) and Parliament.

“The establishment of the office of the PM will see a shift in how the executive is currently constituted, amending more than one article in the constitution,” explained Mirii.

Mirii reiterated that Article 151 of the Constitution would need to be amended to provide for the establishment of the PM office, the appointment, tenure, vacancy, dismissal, and reappointment.

“Article 152 will also need to be amended to include the Prime Minister as a member of the Cabinet and would therefore fall under the second category, which is covered by Article 257,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Prof. Kikaya maintained that he doesn’t believe that the position of the Prime Minister can exist in this time and period.
While echoing Mirii’s sentiments, Prof. Kikaya said the PM position is a constitutional matter.

“Creating the Office of the Prime Minister is not something that can be done overnight. The referendum alone can’t sail through reflecting the current political landscape. In any case, if it were to be held, then the referendum would go against President Ruto badly,” warned Prof. Kikaya.
During his recent media interview, Gachagua said Raila should also keep in mind that President Ruto has been abandoned and he is now a lonely man.

“The churches that supported him have left him; the 3.5 million he got from Mt. Kenya is gone. Everyone with payslips over 3.5 million has left him because of his punitive taxes. The over nine million votes from Gen Z are no longer there,” claimed Gachagua.

Gachagua emphasised that should Raila choose to stand with Kenyans, he stands to gain more and protect his solid reputation.

Gachagua appeared to get the support of Naivasha MP Jane Kihara, who warned President Ruto to trade carefully should he choose to keep Raila in his fold.

“… I can assure you that Raila is not going to support everything that you are doing that doesn’t concern the public. Raila does what the public wants,” said Kihara.

Already, outspoken Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has warned Raila against joining President Ruto’s government, urging him to reflect on his past experiences with former regimes.

“The deep state of the Grand Coalition government with Mwai Kibaki (deceased) never made Raila the president; the same was the case with Uhuru Kenyatta. President Ruto has failed to help him win AU’s top seat. It is only Kenyans who made him president in 2007, but again, that was snatched from him,” lamented Amisi.

The youthful MP called on young people to make their voices count in the ongoing debate.

“Gen Z must never slumber; it is your time to contribute to the change that the country desires,” said Amisi.