For the first time, the widow of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Ida, has publicly addressed her son Raila Junior’s interest in running for political office in the 2027 General Election, throwing her support behind his bid for the Kibra parliamentary seat.

Speaking at her Karen home on Monday during celebrations to mark her 76^th birthday attended by hundreds of Kibra residents, Mama Odinga acknowledged her son’s political ambitions, saying his interest in politics was hardly surprising.

She said she was handing Junior over to the people of Kibra and Nairobi leaders who had worked closely with his late father, urging them to mentor and guide him.

“You as Kibra people have decided and I have no otherwise. I’m releasing my son into your hands. The leaders who are here, take care of him, teach him and guide him. Many of you started politics with Baba. Show him the way,” Mama Ida said.

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Raila Junior speaks to the congregation during a service at Cathedral of Praise Ministries International Church in Imara Daima, Nairobi on May 24, 2026.

Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group

She, however, urged her son to embrace clean politics free from insults and violence, noting that Kibra had played a central role in the late Mr Odinga’s political journey.

“Convince people with your words. Convince them with what you can do for them,” she said.

She also used her first birthday celebration since her husband’s death to call for peace and unity among Kibra residents despite their political differences.

“I am Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). You should know that I will not be going out to campaign because of my position. But when I tell you to love one another, just the way we used to be, I mean it. Kibra is the face of Nairobi,” she said.

The celebrations were attended by Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Kennedy Ng’ondi, Lindi Ward MCA Samson Ochieng’ Jera, other city MCAs and Nairobi County Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service Geoffrey Mosiria.

Junior said he decided to seek the Kibra seat after consulting widely with residents, adding that he was inspired by his father’s style of grassroots politics and engagement with ordinary people.

He said he would embark on a series of meetings with residents to understand their concerns and develop ways of addressing them.

“Baba’s politics was more about engagement with the common people, politics of the grassroots, helping people and women in need. I was the face of Baba in Kibra and I helped him implement what he started,” Junior said.

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Raila reunits with his family after his release from detention — Raila Odinga reunites with his family — his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga (second right), wife Ida (holding Winnie), Raila Junior and Rosemary — at their Kileleshwa home in Nairobi after his release from 11 months’ detention on June 21, 1991. His release was announced by President Daniel arap Moi at the Kanu Annual Delegates Conference, Kasarani.

Photo credit: File

While acknowledging that Peter Orero is the current Kibra MP, Junior said residents needed a leader who understood the constituency and could respond to their needs.

“Baba’s politics will not die. We must be there, and I have said that I have started the journey. We are one, and I want to wish Mama a very great birthday,” he said.

Junior’s political ambitions come as his sister Winnie Odinga, who currently serves as a member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), has also expressed interest in seeking a local elective seat in the 2027 elections.

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kbosuben@ke.nationmedia.com