Why Ida is best-placed to unite emerging ODM factions

Ida Odinga and family members arrive  for the Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga burial service at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University in Bondo.[Benjamin Sakwa/ Standard]

The late Raila Amolo Odinga was an imposing figure in Kenyan politics, dominating the landscape with a presence that few could rival. Like a towering tree whose vast canopy cast all others into shadow, his influence was expansive and enduring. In the wake of his passing, space has opened up for lesser political figures to assert themselves. Yet, it remains evident that few – if any – are likely to attain the magnitude of stature or legacy that he embodied.

Baba, as Raila was affectionately known, departed without formally designating a political successor. For the first time since independence, the Luo nation now faces an unprecedented leadership vacuum. Beneath the outward expressions of unity – reflected in the carefully measured tributes delivered at Baba’s funeral – subtle power plays have begun to emerge. From these undercurrents, four distinct factions can be discerned, each positioning itself as a potential custodian of his political legacy.