Senator Nyutu: Raila Odinga will soon be more powerful than President Ruto
The senator argued that President Ruto currently relies on Odinga's political clout to sustain his grip on power, making the former Prime Minister a crucial figure in his administration.
Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu has asserted that opposition leader Raila Odinga is on the verge of becoming more powerful than President William Ruto, following the recent political pact between the two leaders.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Monday, Nyutu suggested that the newly proposed broad-based government, which includes key allies of Odinga, would grant the opposition leader significant influence in the country's leadership.
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"Raila will not just be co-president, but he will be more powerful than President Ruto," Nyutu said.
The senator argued that President Ruto currently relies on Odinga's political clout to sustain his grip on power, making the former Prime Minister a crucial figure in his administration.
"As we speak, President Ruto has no other plan other than hanging on Raila Odinga, so whatever Raila asks, he will get," he added.
Nyutu's remarks come amid mounting political speculation regarding Odinga's role in government following his unsuccessful bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship in February.
Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo echoed similar sentiments, asserting that Odinga had effectively taken control of the government through his discussions with Ruto. He likened the situation to a "handshake" that could reshape the country's political landscape.
"President Ruto has handed over power to Raila Odinga except the sword. The opposition is in government, so what else is William Ruto going to do in this country?" Maanzo questioned the same during the interview.
The prospect of Odinga securing a significant role in Ruto’s administration has received mixed reactions from lawmakers. While some leaders support the idea of granting him a top position, others believe Odinga should reciprocate Ruto’s gesture by backing him in the 2027 General Election.
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Belgut Member of Parliament Nelson Koech, who chairs the Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee in the National Assembly, floated the possibility of reintroducing the Prime Minister's position to accommodate Odinga.
"We could even do better by having the office of the Prime Minister. I'm just having a wild thought on what could happen," Koech said in a previous Citizen TV interview.
Meanwhile, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has disputed that a formal agreement exists between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the Kenya Kwanza administration.
This follows reports that President Ruto and Odinga have signed an agreement that would see their parties work together under a structured framework.
Speaking on Monday, Wanga clarified that ODM has yet to enter into any legally binding agreement with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to formalise their cooperation.
"So far, ODM and Kenya Kwanza- UDA do not have any formal agreement or documentation that defines our arrangement," she said in an interview.
Nationwide consultations
She added that Raila Odinga had begun nationwide consultations with his supporters to gauge the political direction ODM should take moving forward.
"I think that is why as soon as the party leader (Raila) came back, he began consultations, and the consultations are with his supporters," she said.
Wanga further noted that these discussions would help Odinga assess his political future following his loss in the AUC chairmanship race.
"He will later tell us what he has heard, and he will bring the feedback to the organs of the party, which will determine the direction ODM takes," the governor said.
She also acknowledged that several ODM members had already joined the Kenya Kwanza government under the broad-based administration model, further influencing the party’s position.
Additionally, Wanga pointed out that other political dynamics were in play, including remarks by Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who recently challenged Odinga to declare whether he would support Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
She maintained that future party decisions would be guided by ideological alignment rather than individual interests.
ODM supporters are keenly watching Odinga’s next move, with anticipation mounting over his impending announcement.
A week ago, the opposition leader hinted that he would soon clarify his political stance.
"Watch this space. I'm going to make a statement next week," Odinga said.
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