Ruth Odinga to contest 2027 Kisumu governor race through ODM primaries
Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has announced her intention to seek the Kisumu gubernatorial seat in the 2027 general election. She stated she will participate in the ODM party primaries and rejects any direct party ticket, a practice she has consistently opposed throughout her political career. Odinga emphasized her belief in earning political positions through competition, using the Swahili phrase "kubebwa mkono juu" to describe being elevated without earning it. She recounted her political journey, including her first attempt at the Kisumu governorship in 2013 where she won nominations but stepped aside due to party pressure related to her brother Raila Odinga's presidential bid. She then served as deputy governor. In 2017, she again did not contest a seat, serving as a Special Adviser. For the 2022 Woman Representative seat, Odinga declined a direct ODM certificate, opting instead to face voters in the party primaries, which she won with 304,419 votes. She views this decision as one of her best political choices. Looking ahead to 2027, Odinga seeks a level playing field in the gubernatorial race, stating she has never sought a direct ticket and does not intend to do so now.
