Mbadi Says Luo Support for Ruto Cannot Be Transferred to Raila Odinga’s Family

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has declared that the Luo community will not abandon President William Ruto, arguing that the political loyalty it gave the late Raila Odinga cannot automatically be transferred to another person, including members of his family.

Mbadi made the remarks at a funeral in Homa Bay on Friday, October 16, 2026, amid growing political tensions in Luo Nyanza following the first anniversary of Raila’s death.

The memorial was held at Migwena Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County, on Thursday, October 15, but was marked by the absence of several leaders aligned with Ruto’s broad-based government.

Those who did not attend included Mbadi, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho. Kisii Governor Simba Arati and Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi were among the few figures allied to Ruto who attended.

The majority of those present were associated with Linda Mwananchi, a faction of ODM leaders opposed to the president.

Mbadi weighs in on Raila’s political legacy

The memorial exposed divisions between Raila’s family, led by his widow, Ida Odinga, and ODM leaders supporting Ruto. Some government allies suggested that the family had aligned itself with the Linda Mwananchi faction.

Although he did not directly name the family, Mbadi challenged the idea that Raila’s political standing could be inherited by those connected to him.

He argued that the community had supported Raila because of his political convictions and sacrifices, insisting that anyone seeking similar loyalty must earn it independently.

“I want to tell you this, we followed the late Raila Odinga because of the stand he had and the sacrifices he did for us as a nation. The love we had for Raila cannot be transferred to somebody else, unless you convince us that you match that respect and the honour we had for him,” he said.

Mbadi declares 2032 presidential ambition

In another major announcement, Mbadi declared that he intends to run for president in 2032, arguing that the country’s top leadership positions should not be treated as the preserve of particular communities or families.

He maintained that the Luo community, like any other, has the capacity to produce a president.

Mbadi also defended the community’s support for Ruto, citing the president’s development activities in the Lake Region as a key reason Luo voters would back his re-election in 2027.

“Don’t be lied to that you can remove some Luos from President William Ruto; you are wasting your time. Luos have already decided that, per what the president is currently doing for them, they are going to re-elect him for his second term, and when they are done with him, they will produce their own as president in 2032, and Mbadi is on the front line, I want to be president,” he said.

He added that leadership should not be restricted to particular regions, saying every community had the potential to produce national leaders.

“There are people who think that they are the only ones who can give birth to leaders. Every woman has the capacity to bring forth leaders. That is why I have problems with those who think the president should only come from their areas. Even here in the lake region, we are capable of producing a president. I am ready to run for the president in 2032,”

CS urges politicians to declare their 2027 positions

Mbadi also challenged politicians to state their positions clearly on the debate over Ruto’s re-election, saying leaders should not remain undecided as the 2027 General Election approaches.

“In politics, there is no sitting on the fence,” Mbadi said. “If you belong to ‘two-term’, be frank and declare it, and if in ‘one-term’, also be brave enough to declare it.”