Raila Odinga Junior Backs Jalang’o for Nairobi Senate Seat Amid Winnie’s Bid
Raila Odinga Junior has thrown his support behind Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, in the race for the Nairobi Senate seat ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Junior made his position known on Friday during an event attended by Jalang’o, Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris and other supporters, where he endorsed the legislator’s plan to contest on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.
“I would like to thank Jalas for offering himself for the Senatorial position. I would like to assure you that we (as ODM) are behind you; we are supporting you,” Junior said.
He also reiterated his commitment to ODM, noting that his late father, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, had left the family within the party.
“Baba (Raila Odinga) left us inside ODM, and that is where we are, and our brother belongs to ODM, and I am solidly behind these two,” he added.
Junior further opposed the idea of issuing direct nominations to aspirants ahead of the 2027 polls, arguing that candidates should compete fairly through the party’s established nomination process.
He said he was equally ready to participate in ODM’s primaries as he pursues the Kibra parliamentary seat, a constituency closely associated with his father’s political history.
His endorsement of Jalang’o comes days after his sister, Winnie Odinga, announced her intention to vie for the same Nairobi Senate position.
Winnie made the declaration on October 15 during the first anniversary commemoration of Raila Odinga’s death, signalling her entry into a contest that Jalang’o has also expressed interest in.
“Let it not be a rumour that as Edwin Sifuna searches for higher offices, I see there is some space in Nairobi, and that is why I have decided I will vie for Senator of Nairobi County,” Winnie said.
The two declarations have brought attention to the emerging contest for the Nairobi Senate seat, with both Winnie and Jalang’o expressing interest in the position ahead of the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, Junior’s remarks underline his preference for party nominations to determine ODM’s candidates, leaving the eventual contest to the party’s internal electoral process.
