Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has downplayed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s bid for the presidency, stating that votes from Kisii County would not be sufficient for him to secure victory.

Odinga, who spoke shortly after holding a consultative meeting with Kisii residents on Thursday afternoon, noted that clinching the presidency required support from the entire nation.

According to the Azimio principal, the former CS would face an uphill battle and would struggle to unseat President William Ruto.

“Someone running for the presidency cannot be elected based on Kisii votes, Luo votes, Luhya votes, or even Mount Kenya votes,” Odinga noted.

Former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i during a past interview.

Photo

Fred Matiang'i

“There’s nothing like a community producing a candidate. If you want to be elected, you will be elected by Kenyans generally,” the former prime minister added.

The veteran politician, however, noted that he was yet to hear directly from Matiang’i about his intention to vie for the country’s top political seat, maintaining that reports about his bid for the presidency were merely speculative.

“This is something we will deal with when the right time comes. Mr Matiang’i has not yet come forward to speak and clarify that he wants to run for the presidency,” Odinga commented.

Meanwhile, during the consultative meeting, Odinga also called on the government to address several challenges facing Kenyans including the hitches in the Social Health Authority (SHA).

He went on to fault President Ruto’s administration over what he described as a lack of proper attention to critical issues affecting Kenyans.

“Generally, our country has reached this level because of a lack of proper attention to critical issues, including corruption, which is one of the factors responsible for the lack of services in the country,” he noted.

Odinga concluded his two-week consultative meetings with Kenyans on his political future on Thursday evening in Nairobi, where he held discussions with youth leaders and county ODM officials.

The former Prime Minister is now expected to make the much-awaited announcement on the next political course anytime from Friday, March 7, with experts claiming that the Azimio leader could strike a power deal with President Ruto.

Raila Odinga speaks at State House Mombasa on Monday, February 24 2025.

PCS