After Raila: Noisy and messy battle for a new Nyanza political kingpin

For nearly four decades, Raila Amolo Odinga dominated Luo Nyanza politics, building a following that survived five unsuccessful presidential bids. A year after his death, the community remains divided over his successor, with divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) threatening its future ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Raila died on October 15, 2025, leaving governors, legislators and Cabinet secretaries divided over succession, ODM’s relationship with President William Ruto’s administration and whether the party should field a presidential candidate next year.