Embakasi North MP James Gakuya has thrown a jab at the ODM leader, Raila Odinga, accusing him of playing politics for survival and lacking a clear political stance ahead of the 2027 general polls.
This comes amid concerns over the position of ODM in the upcoming elections, where the party, for instance, has backed a UDA aspirant in the Malava elections.
In an interview on a local TV station on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, Gakuya claimed that Odinga has abandoned his former role as a national opposition figure and is instead entangled in contradictory roles that compromise the spirit of the Constitution.
“The problem is we are mixing our Constitution, which is very clear. We have a National Assembly and Senate. Raila cannot continue being part of the government and still claim to lead the opposition. He is no longer a commander; he is only playing politics for survival,” the legislator stated.
“Raila fought vigorously for multi-partism, but the problem is that he is blowing hot and cold, with no clear stand at all.”
According to Gakuya, Raila’s current political manoeuvring lacks the authority and influence that once made him a formidable political force.
“That command is gone. Raila is not going to be a factor at all politically. He will only command one area, his region, not the nation,” he argued.
The MP emphasised that Raila’s political vote is now limited to his traditional support base, arguing that his role in national politics has waned.
He urged the ODM leader to make a definitive choice between being part of the government or the opposition, saying his current position is unconstitutional.
“Can you take one side? Just get into the government, and leave the opposition to others so that we can run even the National Assembly and Senate smoothly,” he appealed.
Raila in 2027 contest
The MP further suggested that Raila’s dual role in both government consultations and minority parliamentary leadership is creating confusion and undermining constitutional principles.
“When you are both talking about those minority leadership roles in the House and still in government, then you are mixing something that does not appear anywhere in our Constitution,” Gakuya argued.
Already, the ODM leader has hinted that the pact with President William Ruto will hold up to 2027 and that the party will field its candidate for the 2027 top seat.
Speaking during the party’s Parliamentary Group in Machakos on Monday, September 22, 2025, he criticised members of the party who have been making speculations about the party’s future decisions that have not been agreed upon by the party’s decision-making organs.
“Look at what we have signed; we must remain as ODM. We signed and agreed that we will work together up to 2027. We have not passed any resolutions as a party to say how we are going to go into the elections of 2027,” Raila explained.
