Kenya This Week: Raila Odinga Rules Out Vying In 2027, Other Trending Stories

• ODM lawmakers said Raila Odinga was not only vigilant but also "youthful, as demonstrated by his leadership capabilities"
• The sentiments that may rock the Azimio coalition were received diplomatically by the former prime minister
• But this week, Raila said that for now, he is not thinking about the 2027 General Election, as it is four years away

Dennis Lubanga, a Kenyan journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than 10 years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

MPs allied to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have been piling pressure on Raila Odinga to go for the presidency for the sixth time in 2027 as the country desires his leadership.

The lawmakers said Raila was not only vigilant but also "youthful, as demonstrated by his leadership capabilities.”

The sentiments that may rock the Azimio coalition, which has presidential hopefuls such as Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper, Martha Karua (Narc Kenya), and Eugene Wamalwa of DAP-K, were received diplomatically by the former prime minister.

But this week, Raila said that for now, he is not thinking about the 2027 General Election, as it is four years away and too early to think of campaigns.

Also this week, former first lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta moved to court seeking to compel the government to issue her with a title deed for 1,000 hectares of Taita Taveta land.

We look at these and other top stories that made the headlines his week including the murder of Meru blogger Daniel Muthiani, alias Sniper.

1. Raila Odinga Wants Electoral Reforms undertaken

This week, Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga downplayed his chances of vying in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking to Citizen TV on Wednesday, December 27, Raila said it was too early to start thinking about the next election, which is four years away.

However, the ODM leader said it would be useless for one to contest against President William Ruto in 2027 if there were no electoral reforms.

According to the former prime minister, the opposition coalition still has a lot of questions regarding the 2022 presidential results that must be addressed before the next election.

2. Mama Ngina Kenyatta Sues Gov’t

Former first lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta moved to court seeking to compel the government to issue her with a title deed for 1,000 hectares of Taita Taveta land.

In the case, Mama Ngina, together with former Taveta MP Basil Criticos, sued the Chief Lands Registrar and the Attorney General for allegedly failing to issue them with a Certificate of Title for the land.

Justice John Chigiti of Milimani High Court on Friday, December 22, allowed them to file a motion compelling the Land Registrar and Attorney General Justin Muturi to issue them with a title on the land.

He certified their application as urgent, ordering the Land Registrar and the Attorney General to file their responses within 14 days before the mention of the case in March 2024.

3. Meet the Kisumu Woman Helping Hubby Dig Latrines

Also this week, Monica Adhiambo from Kisumu county advised married women against over depending on their husbands.

Adhiambo and his husband, Wilson Ondieki, have been earning a living by working as gravediggers and toilet cleaners for the past 18 years.

Speaking on NTV on Tuesday, December 27, Adhiambo, who has been doing manual work traditionally reserved for men, asked fellow women not to limit their job choices.

According to Adhiambo, wives should not just stay at home when there are no household items, yet they can get some income by doing men's work.

4. DPP Clarifies on Daniel Muthiani's Murder

This week, the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (ODPP) issued a statement regarding the murder of Meru blogger Daniel Muthiani, alias Sniper.

Kenyans had taken to social media to criticise the ODPP for its failure to charge the person who was accused of luring Muthiani on the day he went missing before being found dead.

However, in a statement, ODPP said the suspect, identified as Muriithi Kirimi, also known as Supuu Wa Mioro, was charged with the abduction of Muthiani but later released by the Maua court.

"The Chief Magistrate's court in Maua, Meru county declined to grant custodial orders as sought by the DCI through ODPP but instead granted the suspect a cash bail of KSh 20,000 and ordered the suspect to report to the police station every 14 days. The court also set the application for January 5," ODPP said.

5. Majority Kenyans Say 2023 Was Tougher Year Than 2022

As the week came to an end, TIFA Research released its end-year opinion poll dissecting Kenyans' sentiment on critical aspects such as the cost of living, economic conditions, and employment prospects.

According to a survey released on Friday, December 29, the majority of Kenyans feel 2023 was a tougher year compared to 2022.

"According to the year-end poll, nearly 67% of Kenyans believe 2023 was more challenging than 2022," the poll said.

Respondents said the cost of living, employment prospects, and access to loans were worse than the previous.