Raila Odinga junior installed as head of the late Raila Odinga family
By IP Political Desk
NAIROBI
President William Ruto’s political chessboard just got more entertaining.
In his latest move worthy of a Netflix political thriller, Ruto appears to be keeping the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) inside government — without ever inviting them in.
The man seems to have mastered the fine art of hugging his enemies so tightly they can’t breathe, let alone oppose.
As Raila Odinga Junior was being ceremoniously shaved and handed a spear in Bondo — a cultural ritual marking his installation as head of the Odinga family — political antennas went wild.
The symbolism wasn’t lost on anyone: one Odinga departs, another picks up the spear, and somewhere in State House, a strategist smiles knowingly.
Senator Oburu Odinga, Raila’s elder brother and now interim ODM leader, presided over the family rite with the calmness of a man already scripting Act Two of the Odinga legacy.
Party insiders whisper that he might soon hand over the baton — or in this case, the political spear — to Raila Junior.
The move could both preserve the family legacy and secure ODM’s spot in the new national handshake… or what critics now call the “hug-shake.”
But wait — there’s more drama brewing in the ODM living room.
Word on the street is that Raila Junior could soon be appointed as a Cabinet Secretary, together with KANU chairman Gideon Moi. (Both will allegedly deputize Prime CS as deputy prime secretaries)
If that happens, Kenya might officially run out of opposition leaders — and satire writers will have to find new jobs.
Inside ODM, however, things are less rosy. Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East’s ever-outspoken Babu Owino are reportedly skating on political thin ice for “not toeing the new line.”
Yesterday, Oburu Odinga delivered what can only be described as a mic-drop moment, telling Sifuna,
“You cannot inherit Raila’s position. The party is under my care. If you’re uncomfortable, the door is wide open.”
That’s Luo diplomacy for “pack your bags.”
Meanwhile, Winnie Odinga is said to be eyeing a parliamentary seat in Nairobi — either Kibra or Embakasi East — setting up what could be a sibling showdown or a poetic reclaim of her father’s former stronghold.
In Kenyan politics, every family seems to come with a built-in political franchise.
Ruto’s warm embrace, Oburu’s firm hand, and Raila Junior’s fresh spear, ODM now finds itself in the strangest position possible — the opposition that’s somehow still in government.
Kenya’s political stage, ladies and gentlemen, has never been more theatrical. Bring popcorn.
