Ida Odinga seemingly endorses John Mbadi as Raila's successor
Ida Odinga has broken her silence days after Raila Odinga declared his interest in the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
Speaking over the weekend, Ida said that Raila has trained a lot of lieutenants in local politics who could take over from him if he gets the AU job.
In what looks like an endorsement for a new face to take over the control of Luo Nyanza politically, Ida seemed to favour Suba South MP John Mbadi, who has been one of Raila's foot soldiers in Luo Nyanza.
Terming Mbadi as Raila's heartbeat, Ida said that the politician does not need more training from Raila, who is now eying the AU job.
“Nothing is lost so far. He (Raila Odinga)’s a Kenyan. And he’s not the first Kenyan to seek employment from abroad. He says he’s organized great ladies and gentlemen who can stand firm (here in Kenya) in his absence. Am I lying Mbadi (John)? Raila has been training you for many years…. Do you still need more training?” Ida posed.
“That’s Baba’s heartbeat,” Ida added amidst hearty cheers from the crowd.
In response, Mbadi said Raila's bid for the AU job could benefit Kenya, terming the job as important not only for the opposition chief but also for the country.
“There should be no issue if Raila Amolo Odinga goes to head the African Union Commission. We know what he wants and the importance of the job, We might greatly benefit from his position as the AU leader,” Mbadi said.
In August 2023, Raila's elder brother Oburu Odinga seemed to endorse Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi as the next Luo Political Kingpin.
Oburu claimed that Wandayi is a brilliant politician who had learnt his political skills in the footsteps of Raila.
“Wandayi has proved to be a political master who knows the body language of Raila very well and always acts in his interests with precision and awe,’’ Oburu said in August 2023.
Oburu would later deny endorsing Wandayi, saying he has no powers to anoint ODM leader’s successor as Nyanza region’s kingpin.
He said that he has not picked any politician to take over from his younger brother as the next Luo or opposition leader.
