As the 2027 General Election draws closer, Kenya’s political heavyweights are moving swiftly to consolidate support in the vote-rich Nyanza region.
Having long been a stronghold of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Nyanza is one of the key battlegrounds, with President William Ruto keen to gain support following his close relationship with Raila until his death.
The President has leveraged his closeness with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party in an effort to win over the people of the region. With Jubilee presidential candidate Fred Matiang’i hailing from the same Nyanza region, Ruto is doing all it takes to secure a strong foothold in the 2027 election.
As the Head of State seeks to strengthen his influence, several tycoons from the region are said to have backed him in his bid for a second term. Through this, William Ruto aims to convince more supporters to join his side ahead of 2027.
Times Digital Kenya has compiled a list of some of the Nyanza tycoons backing Ruto.
Oburu Odinga
Siaya Senator and ODM leader Oburu Odinga is one of the key political figures from the Nyanza region who has thrown his weight behind Ruto. Oburu, the elder brother of the late Raila Odinga, recently revealed that he and ODM will be working with the President beyond 2027.
He stated that his party will demand a significant share of the national political landscape but will not seek the Deputy President position, currently held by Kithure Kindiki.
Beyond politics, Oburu Odinga is a well-known businessman with investments in sectors including energy and manufacturing, forming part of the Odinga family’s business portfolio.
Following Raila Odinga’s death, Oburu was tasked with helping manage the family’s extensive business and estate interests, and his support for Ruto’s two-term bid goes beyond politics into strategic influence.
Evans Kidero
Former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero is another key political figure and businessman from the Nyanza region backing Ruto in his two-term presidential bid.
Kidero, who lost the Nairobi gubernatorial seat to Mike Sonko in 2017, has been a supporter of Ruto since the 2022 general election. Looking ahead to 2027, Kidero is reportedly planning to vie for Nairobi’s top seat through Ruto’s UDA party.
The former governor, who owns assets valued at over KSh 9 billion, is expected to play a key role in securing support from Nyanza to help Ruto retain the presidency.
Oketch Salah
Although he came into the spotlight following the death of the late ODM boss Raila Odinga, Oketch Salah has emerged as one of the Nyanza tycoons steadily supporting Ruto’s two-term bid.
Born into a wealthy family in Migori, Salah has established himself in the business world, reportedly inheriting his father’s ownership of Salah Bakery and pioneering several multi-story buildings.
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As an influential businessman from Nyanza, Salah has toured the country emphasizing that Raila Odinga had indicated support for Ruto in 2027. Consequently, he has personally aligned himself with the President through the ODM party.
