“Raila isn’t just the ‘new centre of power.’ He is the ‘future centre of power,'” Abdullahi stated.
former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and candidate for AUC chair. PHOTO : Raila Odinga
In Summary:
- Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi asserts that Raila Odinga will play a decisive role in determining Kenya’s political future and next president.
- Recent political developments, including high-profile visits to Odinga’s office and his allies’ appointments to Cabinet positions, suggest his growing influence despite not being in government.
Prominent Kenyan lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi has voiced a significant prediction about the country’s political landscape, positioning Raila Odinga as a key player in shaping Kenya’s future leadership.
Responding to a local newspaper headline, Abdullahi argued that Odinga is strategically positioned to influence who leads the country after 2027.
Abdullahi’s assessment is rooted in recent political developments that suggest Odinga has solidified his position as an undisputed ‘political oligarch’.
The lawyer noted the increasing number of ranking civil servants and political figures visiting Odinga at his Capitol Hill offices, indicating his behind-the-scenes influence.
“Raila isn’t just the ‘new centre of power.’ He is the ‘future centre of power,'” Abdullahi stated.
He went on to suggest that Odinga’s influence is so substantial that he could potentially decide whether President Ruto’s government remains stable and whether Ruto serves one term or two.
File photo of Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi
This projection gains further credence from the recent appointment of five of Odinga’s ODM party allies to Cabinet positions.
These developments echo Odinga’s previous engagements with administrations that had defeated him in elections, such as his ‘handshake’ agreement with former President Uhuru Kenyatta following the 2017 election.
Despite these indications of growing influence, Odinga has consistently maintained that he is not part of the government and has no intention of joining it.
This stance, juxtaposed with his apparent political clout, creates an intriguing dynamic that Abdullahi believes will be pivotal in shaping Kenya’s leadership landscape.
As the country moves towards the next election cycle in 2027, many will be watching to see how Odinga’s role evolves and whether Abdullahi’s predictions come to fruition.