Mbeere North Member of Parliament Geoffrey Ruku has emphasised the political strength Raila Odinga carries in the country.

After his failed bid to win the African Union Commission chairmanship, eyes are firmly set on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader as the time ticks towards the 2027 general elections.

Ruku, while appearing in a TV show on Thursday, February 27, 2025, praised Raila and explained the political influence he has in the country.

“Raila Odinga is a statesman; he is one of the greatest politicians of our time; he is an extremely powerful politician in the Republic of Kenya as it is today.

“He is the only individual who can call a meeting at Uhuru Park on a Saturday, and it will be full, and nobody would as even a coin for transport. Even for the public address system, Baba will not know where it would come from.

“He carries the heartbeat of the Republic of Kenya politically,” Ruku said.

2027 determining factor

On whether Raila is a determining factor in the 2027 presidential race, the lawmaker said the former PM and President William Ruto are the only heavyweights, dismissing Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.

“He (Raila) is not the only one but one of the biggest determining factors of what is going to happen in 2027. There are only two individuals who can give each other a run for their money; one is Raila Odinga, and the other is William Ruto, as far as 2027 is concerned.

“When you talk about others, it is just dreams. When you talk about Rigathi Gachagua, you talk about Matiang’i or Kalonzo; all those are dreams, and as we said, dreams are valid, and it is OK. But there are only two individuals who, if they join together, it is a done deal, and that is Raila Odinga and William Samoei Ruto,” he added.

Recently, Rigathi Gachagua warned President Ruto not to step foot in Meru should Chief Justice Martha Koome be ousted. Ruku, an MP from the region, explained the need for the Head of State to visit every part of the country.

“Ruto has the right to visit every part of the country, giving his own scorecard. He cannot do that while sitting at the State House; he has to go round the country, and he can work from every corner of this country.

“It is critical for the president to visit every region, talk to the people, and listen to their needs. Also, the centrality of our constitution is public participation, and there are very many ways of conducting public participation, and one of them is exactly what the president is doing,” he said.