Kaluma pledges support for Ruto in 2027 after honouring Raila Odinga
By Joel Masibo, October 20, 2025Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma has stated that the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s allies will extend an olive branch to President William Ruto in the 2027 presidential election after giving the late PM a befitting sendoff.
Also Watch: President William Ruto views the body of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Kasarani Stadium
Raila Odinga, who passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, while undergoing treatment in India, was honoured by the state through a state funeral held at the Nyayo National Stadium on Friday, October 17, 2025, before being granted a state burial at his Bondo home on Sunday, October 19, 2025, with full military protocol.
Based on this treatment, the Homa Bay Town MP has promised President Ruto that Raila Odinga’s remaining camp, particularly the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party that he led until his demise, will support the Head of State’s re-election bid in 2027. Raila Odinga breathed his last while working with President Ruto in the broad-based government.
”You, President William Ruto, honoured Baba; our Father, our Mentor and our Leader. You valued Baba and walked with him in his last days in this ungrateful World. In his death, you stood with us in words and indeed. WE ARE GRATEFUL. WE ARE NOW YOUR PEOPLE. BEYOND OBEYING BABA’S DIRECTIONS TO US, WE’LL APPRECIATE YOU IN 2027,” Kaluma took to X on Monday, October 20, 2025, shortly after Ruto attended Raila’s burial in Siaya County on Sunday.
Sifuna and Wanga disagree
Kaluma’s sentiments come hours after ODM Secretary-General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna publicly differed with Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga on the late Raila Odinga’s final instructions regarding the party’s position ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during the state funeral on Sunday, October 19, 2025, Sifuna emphasised the late leader’s call for electoral preparedness, a stance that contrasts with Wanga’s interpretation of maintaining the party’s role within a broad-based government.
“Raila aliongea wazi mbele ya nchi nzima, tarehe 22, mwezi uliopita, mbele ya hawa wabunge katika hoteli pale Nairobi, Baba aliongea kwa kinywa chake yeye mwenyewe, naomba viongozi msiingize maneno kwa mtu ambaye amelala, Baba alisema mwenyewe, akasema kama chama lazima tujiandae kwa ajili ya uchaguzi wa 2027,” Sifuna said in Swahili.
On her part, Gladys Wanga sai: “The last instructions he left us with, and with a very clear mind and I remember him speaking during the burial of Phoebe Asiyo, he said he made a clear decision to walk with you for the stability and unity of the nation inside the broad-based government, that is the last instruction standing, and as a party that is where we will stand.”