"Choose Ruto or Gachagua" Raila's Longtime Aide Says ODM Has No Chance in 2027 Presidential Vote

Dennis Onyango, Raila Odinga’s veteran confidant, has ignited intense political discourse by cautioning that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) risks severe disillusionment if it assumes victory in the 2027 polls without Raila leading the charge.

His outspoken critique has prompted soul-searching inside the party: can ODM endure and thrive independently of its iconic founder?

In a widely circulated statement, Onyango contended that ODM presently fields no presidential contender with nationwide charisma. He warned that absent Raila’s magnetic pull, the party’s broad-based appeal may erode, leaving it vulnerable to more cohesive adversaries.

These assertions have revived perennial debates over succession planning and opposition stewardship.

Onyango urged party stalwarts to confront harsh realities and explore strategic pacts with either President William Ruto or Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, insisting that banking solely on homegrown talent could spell electoral defeat.

Captured in a viral Facebook clip and subsequent coverage, his perspective underscores mounting anxiety over ODM’s trajectory as Raila prepares to retreat from frontline politics.

The pronouncement has fractured ODM loyalists. A faction hails it as an unflinching wake-up call demanding immediate introspection, whereas detractors brand it demoralizing and untimely.

Kenyans have flooded online platforms, vigorously arguing whether ODM must undergo radical reinvention or forge fresh alliances before the 2027 showdown.

At its core, Onyango’s admonition probes profound themes of leadership continuity and enduring impact. How does a powerhouse movement persist once its pivotal architect departs the stage? For ODM, this juncture may herald either irreversible downturn or bold renewal—contingent entirely on the decisiveness of its current custodians.