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The death of Raila Odinga sparks succession battle in Luo Nyanza

 


When the clouds gathered, and speculations were rife with Kenyans demanding to know the whereabouts of Raila Odinga, it didn't click the minds of many that they would lose a great man of his calibre.

Raila died on the 15th of October 2025 at the age of 80. Raila served as Kenya's second Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013.

He was elected as MP for Langata in 1992 and served upto 2013.

The death of ODM leader Raila Odinga has sent shockwaves across Kenya and beyond its borders.

Raila Odinga was not just an ordinary politician, but he was an above average political strategist who withstood the vagaries of the murkiest field of Kenya politics for over 3 decades.

His death has left a huge vaccum in the entire nation, particularly his backyard of luo Nyanza.

Who will succeed Raila Odinga?

The death of Raila has triggered succession battle, as James Orengo, Opiyo Wandayi, Gladys Wanga, Babu Owino and John Mbadi gears up to fill the gap.

ODM leadership will definitely be determined by the luo community, owing to their numerical strength.

Opiyo Wandayi, Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya are serving as cabinet secretaries and have no chance of taking control of the party as they had resigned from their party positions prior to their appointment to the cabinet.

James Orengo advanced age might outrule him from the contention battle.

Definitely Glady Wanga and Babu Owino are the most likely political leaders to fill the gap that has been left by the death of Raila Amollo Odinga.




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