Kitui Central Member of Parliament (MP) Makali Mulu has outlined three potential paths for Raila Odinga as debate intensifies over his political future following his unsuccessful bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position.

In a media interview on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, Mulu joined a growing chorus of political leaders proposing various roles for Raila.

One of the options Mulu proposed is for Raila to join the government by implementing the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report.

The report, which emerged from bipartisan negotiations after the contested 2022 elections, proposed significant governance reforms, including the potential establishment of new executive positions.

“Raila needs to be in the government. Now that he is back, that is just one option. We could accommodate him. In short, just approve the NADCO report. If we approve the report, we will have positions that he can easily occupy and allow Kenyans to benefit from his many years of experience,” Mulu stated.

The legislator elaborated that if Raila chooses to collaborate with President William Ruto’s administration, he could hold a significant position.

“If he chooses to work with President Ruto, I see more people joining the broad-based government but now from the side of Raila him trying to push more people to join the government. So he will be such a powerful person in that broad-based government,” he stated.

Rejoin opposition

Mulu also pointed out the possibility of Raila returning to lead the opposition, citing a recent court ruling regarding Azimio’s majority status in Parliament.

“The courts have already declared that Azimio is the majority coalition party in the House. With that declaration, the leader of Azimio on paper has always been Raila, so he could easily decide to come back and take his rightful position and, with the position, claim what belongs to him,” he explained.

While acknowledging Kalonzo Musyoka’s current role in the opposition, Mulu suggested that both leaders could find a way to work together.

“If Raila comes back, they could easily have a working formula so that at the end of the day he is not working for the government,” he added.

Retirement

The MP also proposed retirement as a third option for Raila, though he warned this choice could affect his standing with younger voters.

“He could say, ‘I’ve been in this game for many years; I want to hang my boots and become an advisor to the upcoming young leaders.’ However, if he decides to retire, the only thing is that he will not have a chance to redeem his image from Gen Z. The way they look at him now, they see him as someone who betrayed them, betrayed the cause,” Mulu observed.

NADCO implementation

Mulu’s suggestions align with recent calls from other political leaders who have been pushing for the implementation of the NADCO Report to accommodate Raila in government.

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, 2025, Cherargei emphasized the importance of utilizing 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 it. 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 televised interview on the same day, Belgut MP Nelson Koech echoed Cherargei’s sentiments, calling on the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition to create a suitable role for Raila in government.

“We have to find a structure that will accommodate him – Raila Odinga. Whichever position accommodates him, we have to find that position. We could relook at the NADCO report,” Koech proposed.

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

Dissenting voices

However, some members of Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party have expressed skepticism about these proposals.

Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai dismissed the suggestions as ‘belittling’ to Raila’s stature.

“Any arguments for appointing Raila as PM or in such-and-such a position are belittling the stature and role of Raila Odinga in Kenyan society. Baba Raila Odinga is NOT hostage to his very stellar contribution to the country,” Alai stated in a statement on his X account on February 17, 2025.