• Amollo said that they instead emerge and that this has been the case for Kenyan politics in many years.
• He went on to name several leaders who have made it big in country without being endorsed by leaders who had been there before.
Image: OTIENDE AMOLLO/X
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo now says that successors in political leadership are not named.
Speaking on Tuesday, Amollo said that they instead emerge and that this has been the case for Kenyan politics for many years.
He went on to name several leaders who have made it big in country without being endorsed by leaders who had been there before.
The Rarieda MP noted that while Raila's father had a big influence in the Kenyan political circle, his preferred choice of a leader for his Ford Kenya party was not the former Prime minister.
He also cited President William Ruto and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka who have huge support from across the country without being named as people's successors.
"Experience shows us that successors are not named, they emerge. there is no question of sitting down and naming a successor. If you look at the leadership, who named Raila as a leader either of the opposition or Luo Nyanza or any of these parties? He simply emerged."
"In fact, if you'll remember, Raila Odinga was not his father's choice for leadership of Ford Kenya at the time. The person of choice was Kijana Wamalwa. He had to emerge. You will remember that Kalonzo Musyoka has not been named a leader by anyone but now he commands a substantial section of this country nor was William Ruto named. Ruto emerged, so there's no question of naming," Amollo said on KTN News.
His remarks come amidst talks of a possible Raila succession as ODM and Azimio leader, should he get the AU Commission job.
Recently, Raila’s wife Ida Odinga endorsed nominated MP John Mbadi to take over from the ODM boss as the next Luo political kingpin.
Ida said the seasoned lawmaker has come of age and is best suited to lead the politically-charged community after Raila.
This was the first time a senior member of the influential Jaramogi family had come publicly to give direction on who should take control of the community following Raila’s declaration that he is eyeing African Union Commission chairmanship.
Big political names in the region seen as possible successors kept off the discussion over the weekend.
Those whose names keep popping up in the succession debate include National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and his Siaya counterpart James Orengo.
Former Governors Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya are also thought to be eyeing the ODM party leader job.
From the Azimio coalition party, all principals including Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, and Eugene Wamalwa are also eyeing the coalition party's leadership.