She had weighed a bid for Kisumu governor, she said, but kept her options open for national leadership — a move she framed as loyalty to Raila’s legacy and a push for renewal.
Her top priority, she insisted, is to fix ODM from inside: unite local branches, settle leadership fights, stop petty rivalries, build a disciplined machine that can contest nationally, period now.
In the interview she named Sam Atandi and Mark Nyamita, accusing them of stirring division and using an “orphan tag” that she called disrespectful, lazy politics exploiting grief for gain.
She rejected the orphan label outright, saying Luo people do not accept being boxed as victims; loss should trigger leadership renewal, not permanent mourning or abdication of public responsibility now.
On the national arithmetic she insisted ODM remains in the broad-based government until the 2027 vote, and that local leaders must wait for voters to decide alliances and political homes.
Ruth suggested Kalonzo Musyoka might shift to President Ruto’s camp, a realignment that would force Rigathi Gachagua and Fred Matiang’i into a bruising fight over opposition leadership and strategy soon.
Analysts say Ruth mixes ambition with caution, testing whether ODM can convert name recognition into a disciplined campaign, build cross-ethnic coalitions, and fund a credible nationwide operation before nominations begin.
Practical hurdles remain obvious: raising money across regions, persuading voters beyond Luo areas, surviving fierce party primaries, and proving she can manage national security and the economy under intense scrutiny.
She closed urging calm inside ODM, insisting leadership must come through courage, clear plans, and hard work; only after the party heals will she choose whether to seek the presidency.
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