Ruto Would Lose if He Runs for President Without a Coalition - Millie Odhiambo
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Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo has said President William Ruto would struggle to secure re-election if he chose to contest the 2027 presidential election without entering into a political coalition.
Speaking on Thursday, August 20, Odhiambo said political coalitions play an important role in Kenyan elections by bringing together parties with support bases in different parts of the country.
"People use political coalitions, either before elections or post-elections, to get into government and get the presidency.
"For instance, right now, if President William Ruto were to decide that he's going for it alone, he would already lose," she said.
Odhiambo said the ethnic nature of Kenyan politics makes it difficult for presidential candidates to rely solely on one party or political support base.
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"The reality is that Kenya is fairly ethnicized. So you need to look for parties that have diverse representations in different areas to help up your numbers. Post-Raila Odinga, ODM made the decision to stay in the broad-based," she added.
This comes days after Odhiambo told elected leaders in the Broad-based government that attacking opponents will not guarantee victory in the elections.
Speaking on Monday, August 17, she condemned the attack on the Linda Mwananchi team in Homa Bay County, stating that the trend of political intolerance in the country was alarming.
Odhiambo called on leaders to embrace the politics of ideologies to woo voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.
"If we want to win, especially those of us who are in the Broad-based government, we can only win by speaking our ideologies, not by beating people. We actually lose people when we are violent," she stated.
Odhiambo further condemned the attack on members of the fourth estate covering the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay by armed goons.
She termed the practise as barbaric for targeting journalists who were just doing their job.
Once again, Odhiambo asked her colleagues how they expected media coverage yet some of them were allegedly behind the attacks.
"If we are going to the level where we are attacking journalists yet we are the same ones who go around and complain how journalists don't cover our issues, does it make sense?
"To tell you the truth, it is one of the most idiotic things that I have ever seen happening," she added.
Reporting originally appeared via Nairobi Leo. Read the full source for additional context.