A fresh rift has emerged within the political landscape of Luo Nyanza as ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga turns his focus on Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omolo, accusing him of meddling in regional politics and undermining the party’s influence.
Multiple sources close to ODM have confirmed that Raila has asked President William Ruto to strip PS Omolo of certain functions within the Ministry of Interior, citing growing concerns over Omolo’s involvement in organizing political meetings and redirecting state resources to ODM defectors now allied to the ruling UDA party.
This development follows a controversial meeting between President Ruto and Migori ODM grassroots leaders, a gathering reportedly organized by Omolo despite initial requests coming from Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko. Raila’s camp views such actions as strategic moves by Omolo to weaken ODM’s grip on the region while bolstering Ruto’s 2027 reelection bid.
Omolo, although not an elected leader, has increasingly become a central figure in Luo Nyanza politics. Leveraging his role in the national government, he has spearheaded government-backed development projects, coordinated logistics for presidential visits, and cultivated support through churches, youth groups, and civil society organizations. This visibility has earned him both praise and criticism.
While some ODM MPs view Omolo as a vital link to government resources, Raila’s inner circle sees him as a political threat, a key player helping reshape Luo Nyanza’s loyalty toward the Kenya Kwanza regime. The fear, insiders suggest, is that Omolo is accelerating a silent political realignment that could severely disrupt ODM’s traditional support base ahead of 2027.
Despite speculation that President Ruto may heed Raila’s request to curtail Omolo’s influence in a bid to win over the ODM leader, sources close to the PS caution that relying solely on Raila’s endorsement is risky. They argue that Odinga has yet to decisively commit to Ruto’s 2027 re-election and is unlikely to do so anytime soon.
“PS Omolo is pushing too hard, too fast,” one ODM MP, requesting anonymity, noted. “Most of us are open to working with the President, but the timing has to be strategic. Raila knows that endorsing now would be politically premature.”
Amid this tug-of-war, Raila is quietly reasserting himself in preparation for a possible 2027 presidential run, a move that has intensified the stakes of the Raila-Omolo confrontation. The PS, on the other hand, continues to enjoy support from a growing faction of Luo MPs who prefer his hands-on approach to development and access to national government channels.
