Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga held a series of high-level meetings across the country as he raced against time to finalize a political agreement with President William Ruto.
Following his failed bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship in Addis Ababa, Raila hinted at a renewed focus on Kenyan politics, stating that he would first consult widely before making any decisions.
Shortly after the AUC loss, Raila took a brief sabbatical in Dubai before returning to Kenya, where he held a closed-door meeting with President Ruto at Mombasa State House.
Reports indicate that during this meeting, Raila and Ruto signed a cooperation agreement, which is set to be unveiled on Friday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
During his consultations, Raila reassured his supporters that he remains ready to contribute whenever needed and promised to announce his next political move soon.
"We are available to help the continent of Africa, but more importantly, we are also available for Kenya. I’m back home, and I will be meeting with my friends and supporters," Raila said on February 24.
"I am going to consult widely, and in due course, we will announce our way forward. Just watch this space—I will be speaking again."
Raila lost the AUC chairmanship race after a seven-round voting process in Addis Ababa on February 15.
Following his Mombasa meeting with Ruto, he flew directly to Kisumu, his political stronghold, where he met with ODM leaders as he launched a week-long series of consultations.
In Kisumu, he held a private meeting with Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, who had been acting as ODM party leader since October last year while Raila campaigned for the AUC position.
From Kisumu, Raila traversed Siaya, Homa Bay, and Migori, engaging elected leaders and grassroots ODM officials to gather views on his next political direction.
Raila then attended the ODM party's 20 year celebrating in Busia County where he said he would continue to engage more Kenyans.
He then moved to the Coast region, holding meetings in Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale, before heading to North Eastern Kenya, where he met leaders in Wajir County on March 5.
On March 6, Raila arrived in Kisii for a meeting with ODM delegates from Kisii and Nyamira counties.
It was there that he announced that his final consultations would take place in Narok and Nairobi on the same day.
That evening, Raila flew to Nairobi, where he met with ODM branch officials for a final round of discussions before Friday’s expected announcement.
During his consultations, Raila firmly ruled out any
possibility of working with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, instead
hinting at a structured working relationship with President Ruto ahead of the
2027 elections.
"The other man said he had set traps everywhere to stop me from reaching State House for a handshake. So, do you want us to work with someone who set traps for me? I told him that is impossible," Raila said.
His remarks were met with overwhelming support from Wajir residents, who rejected the idea of a possible Raila-Gachagua alliance.
"The traps set against me did not work. That is why you
saw me at State House alongside other East African leaders, including
Presidents Museveni, Samia Suluhu, and Ruto," he added.
On Friday, Raila is expected to sign a formal cooperation
agreement with Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza alliance, paving the way for political
collaboration ahead of the 2027 elections.
