Nyanza politicians who rode on Raila’s coattails will now have to fly on their own

Many elected politicians from Nyanza who occupy seats will not get reelected if ODM leader Raila Odinga exits the local scene, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi has said.

Raila is keen on becoming the next African Union Commission chairman, a position that will require his exit from the local political scene to lead the continent's biggest decision-making organ.

Should he succeed, Caroli says Raila's exit will create a level playing ground for politicians seeking elective seats in Nyanza and re new face will be elected.

The lawmaker says some politicians from the region have performed dismally unless they get backed by Raila during elections

Omondi said these politicians will remain orphans if Raila leaves for the AUC. Raila has enjoyed near fanatical support from his Nyanza backyard and candidates running on his ODM party ticket often get smooth rides.

Caroli says such politicians have always waited for Raila to endorse them by carrying them so residents vote for them,

Omondi said the politicians will have rough time during 2027 general election to see if they get elected by themselves.

“Raila is my party leader and I wish him a success in the AUC chairmanship bid. But I see his departure to Addis Ababa providing a level playfield for residents to elect a leader of their choice,” Omondi said.

Speaking on Saturday at Nyakiamo Stadium in Sindo town market where he delivered three new school bases for Nyabera Girls, Gingo Mixed and Nyagwethe Mixed secondary schools, Omondi argued that Raila’s departure to AUC will stop the tendency by some politicians who seek his endorsement and don’t do their own work.

The constituency also disbursed bursaries of Sh40million to support students from the less fortunate families.

Nyanza region has been the political bedrock for Raila and the ODM party since 2007. Residents have been voting for him and the party’s candidates.

The region has six counties, Homa Bay, Kisii, Siaya, Migori, Nyamira and Kisumu.

“I foresee a fair competition among politicians after Raila become AUC chairman. People will elect leaders based on their capacity to undertake development because there will be no more endorsement,” he said.

In company of Homa Bay former public service board member Tobias Odundo and are politician William Siro, the MP urged residents to focus on development and vet leaders based on their track record.

He added that residents should not look to political parties during elections but instead chose leaders based on their development competencies.

“What the people need is development and that is what we are doing. Let politicians, including my opponents in Suba South, to compete in development,” he added.

Omondi is among the ODM legislators who have been branded rebels after they decided to work closely with the administration of President William Ruto.

Last Saturday, the MP justified his cooperation with Ruto by saying it has led to construction of the first tarmacked road in Suba South constituency.

Through such cooperation, there are new administrative units such Suba Central and Suba West subcounties that have been created and gazetted.

“The ongoing tarmacking of Mbita-Sindo-Magunga-Sori road is a result of our working closely with President Ruto. The government has installed free Wi-Fi in Magunga Market,” Omondi said.

The cooperation has elicited criticism from Raila who said he did not consult him as his party leader.

For that matter, Raila recently endorsed ODM national chairman John Mbadi to run for the Suba South parliamentary seat in 2027.

The endorsement has heightened political temperatures in Suba South where Mbadi is currently traversing the constituency with the intention of recapturing the seat he occupied for three terms.

“We’ll leave nothing chance to Mbadi in Suba South. I will defeat him in 2027 elections because he will not cling to Raila’s court anymore,” Omondi said.