ODM party leader Raila Odinga during the signing of 10 point Agenda MOU. Odinga has said that he can still run for presidency if he wants. Photo: Raila Odinga X.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has left the country in suspense on his presidential bid in the 2027 General Elections.
Speaking during an interview with NTV on Sunday evening, Odinga said that he has not declared his intention to run, but he still has the right to vie for the country’s top seat.
““I have not said that I’m running. I don’t have to run. I can support someone else, but I can also run if I want to. Right now, I’m focused on strengthening ODM,” Odinga said.
Responding to the recent political alignments in the country, Odinga dismissed the romours that there is a potential unite of course between him and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, whom he said they enjoy a cordial relationship with, despite their recent political differences.
“Me and Steve are friends, we share a number of issues and I have got a lot of respect for him. He has not asked for my support for presidency in 2027,” Odinga remarked.
He however said that Orange Democratic Movement 9ODM) party will chart its way forward in the elections, that will be guided by the party’s legacy and values.
Odinga remarks come as the party prepares for its grassroots elections across the country, and a National Delegates Convention scheduled for October.
Odinga’s further said proposing that the government should allow Kenyans to vote with National identification Cards (IDs), stating that the formation of the voters registry among reasons making the country’s election become very costly.
He said that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission(IEBC), has become very costly, and should do away with the voter registry, emphasizing his call for use of IDs to cast votes. Additionally, Odinga said that the Commission uses a lot of money to purchase material, which catalyzes looting and disadvantages the underserved regions.
“Why are Kenyan elections among the most expensive in the world? It’s not rocket science. If you have an ID, you should vote. There are areas where people don’t have voter cards, and this skews the register. The system is bloated to enable looting,” Odinga said.
Odinga reinforcing his political party’s stand on fair and free elections, proposed that the six elections held by the country on the same day should be divided, as it ups the cost of elections, stating that its time as a country to rethink on how to conduct its election and reduce the cost.
“The way we conduct elections creates confusion and drives up costs. It’s time for a radical rethink,” he said.
The country holds its presidential, MPs, gubernatorial, senatorial, women rep nd MCA elections in the same day.
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