ODM party leader Raila Odinga has reemerged on social media after more than two weeks of silence, sparking fresh conversations about his absence from recent public events.
On Friday, October 3, 2025, Raila posted updates on both X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, marking his first online activity since September 17. In his latest post, the veteran opposition leader highlighted a meeting with Gor Mahia Football Club officials led by Chairman Ambrose Rachier, expressing his support for the team’s upcoming campaign.
His digital reappearance follows heightened speculation about his whereabouts, particularly after missing the October 2 burial of former Cabinet Minister Dalmas Otieno in Migori. The absence drew attention given Migori’s political significance to Raila and his complex history with the late minister.
Dalmas Otieno, a prominent figure who held key ministerial portfolios under various administrations, shared a long and often tense political relationship with Raila. Their rivalry stretched back to the early 2000s, when Otieno attempted to broker a merger between KANU and Raila’s NDP, and later deepened with the formation of ODM. Although the two allied briefly between 2007 and 2013—working together during the coalition government era—their relationship fractured again after 2013, culminating in Otieno’s launch of the Kalausi movement to challenge ODM’s dominance in South Nyanza.
While Raila’s decision to skip Otieno’s burial was interpreted by many as consistent with their strained history, his renewed presence on social media may signal a return to active political engagement. This development comes at a time when Kenya’s political arena remains fluid, with by-elections and shifting alliances on the horizon.
