Former Rarieda MP Hon. Raphael Tuju in a past event// Photo Courtesy
Former Rarieda Member of Parliament Hon. Raphael Tuju will be making a comeback in active politics, a close source has established
Tuju who fell out with the then ODM party Raila Odinga has been out of active politics since his ouster as Secretary General for Jubilee party.
According to a source which spoke to The Nyanza Review on anonymity, Tuju will be running for Siaya Senatorial race in the 2027 general elections.
The development comes after a series of attempts to persuade seasoned politician Engineer Nicolas Gumbo to salvage his gubernatorial ambitions and instead run for Senate.
Gumbo, widely known as Wajonya came second after Rasanga in 2017 elections and second in 2022 against ODM’s candidate James Orengo.
Siaya senator Dr. Oburu Odinga and ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga who doubles as Homabay county governor have been holding series of meetings with the former PAC chairman to have him back in the party.
“Oburu and Wanga have had a series of meetings with Gumbo but it turns out he’s not backing out from contesting for governor in the coming elections,” The source noted.
This comes after Governor James Orengo secret fights with the Odinga family and the position of ODM leadership during the Gen Zs protest.
The source further reported that former Ugunja Constituency MP Opiyo Wandayi, currently the Energy CS is the ODM’s bet for Siaya gubernatorial position and to be sure of victory, the party has been putting efforts to win Eng. Gumbo who controls over 50% of votes in Siaya.
“The party is well aware of the potential risk in supporting Wandayi against Orengo. He’s a seasoned politician and a governor who has been in office. You can’t underestimate him. That’s why they are looking for Gumbo because with Gumbo’s full support, Wandayi will carry the day.” He said
With indications that former Rarieda MP Nicolas Gumbo will not shield his gubernatorial aspirations, the party is engaging Rafael Tuju as a backup plan to run for senator so that in their approach, Rarieda sub-county will have senate position reserved for them as Governorship goes to Ugunja which geographically, will accommodate the neighboring constituency of Ugenya where the current governor hails from.
Opinion leaders are sending warnings that should ODM take this route, there will be a likelihood of a non – ODM party governor in Siaya.
Paul Andiego from Alego Usonga believes that it is okay for ODM to get a different candidate to run for the position but that has to be taken carefully.
“James Orengo has lost touch with the ground. He’s incompetent. You saw what he did to his deputy. He’s surrounded by incompetent people. It’s time for ODM to get a new candidate but this has to be cautiously undertaken so that it doesn’t lose in the long run.” The source said.
Eunice Akelo, a community health worker and a local mobilizer from Bondo constituency argues that should ODM take this route, then it will be easier for someone like Gumbo to win gubernatorial election with massive votes.
Akelo who wonders why ODM would lobby potential gubernatorial contestants to run for Senate said that for the past twelve years since devolution, Siaya county is still lagging behind in matters of development because of party politics.
“I don’t think party politics will carry the day. ODM must realize this when making decisions. Let them lobby Gumbo or Tuju to run for Governorship on their party if at all they mean well for this county. We want to hear ODM engage Opiyo Wandayi to run for Senate. In any case, the majority of voters are from this side. We want a leadership that will take Siaya county forward,” She said.
