Winnie Odinga to run for Nairobi Senator in 2027

East African Legislative Assembly MP Winnie Odinga has announced that she will run for Nairobi Senator in the 2027 General Election. She made the declaration on Thursday at Migwena Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County, during the commemoration marking one year since the death of her father, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Telling supporters that her bid should not be treated as a rumour, Winnie said the seat would open up as the current senator, Edwin Sifuna, pursues a higher office. She did not say which party she will run on.

She urged young Kenyans to go for elective seats, saying she would be running alongside young people, and spoke of how deeply the loss of her father had affected her.

The announcement comes a week after a section of the Luo Council of Elders crowned her as her father’s heir at the family’s Opoda Farm in Bondo. Her brother, Raila Odinga Jr, was separately named head of the Odinga household and is seeking the Kibra parliamentary seat.

The race for the Nairobi Senate seat is already crowded. Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, declared earlier this year on an ODM ticket. Other aspirants include musician KRG The Don, former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo, lawyer Cecil Miller and youth leader Ken Babu.