Raila Odinga Junior has publicly declared his support for President William Ruto’s bid for a second term, announcing it during the President’s visit to Kisumu on Sunday, September 13.
Junior, the son of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, addressed a gathering attended by Ruto and said his father and the President had shared a development vision for Kenya.
Junior pledges full support for Ruto
Introducing himself to those gathered, Junior called himself “Baba’s son” before speaking directly to the President.
“I know you had a shared vision with Raila of development and bringing things to the ground, and not just in the Nyanza region but the whole of Kenya.”
He then made his position on the 2027 election clear.
“Therefore, Your Excellency, I would like to say that I am supporting and I’m behind you fully.”
The declaration places Junior among the emerging political voices openly backing Ruto as the country heads towards the 2027 General Election.
His remarks also come as President Ruto continues to strengthen his political presence in Nyanza, a region that was for years regarded as one of Raila Odinga’s strongest political bases.
Ruto and Raila’s political relationship
Ruto and the late Raila Odinga spent years on opposite sides of Kenya’s political divide before forming a working relationship.
The two leaders had been political allies at different points in their careers, but later became rivals, including during the 2022 presidential election when Ruto defeated Raila.
Their relationship changed after the two held talks that led to the broad-based government arrangement. Raila subsequently worked with Ruto’s administration while continuing to lead the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Ruto has repeatedly spoken about areas where he and Raila shared similar development ideas.
In October 2025, following Raila’s death, Ruto said the two had discussed a long-term vision for Kenya and identified areas including infrastructure, agriculture, industrialisation and energy as key to the country’s development.
Junior’s growing political presence
Junior’s endorsement comes as he increasingly appears at public and political events following his father’s death in October 2025.
In recent months, he has also made remarks that have fuelled speculation about his own political future.
In July, Junior hinted at beginning a new political journey while speaking at a church fundraiser in Homa Bay, although he did not specify the position he could seek in the 2027 elections.
