Ruth Odinga, the Kisumu Woman Representative, has recounted the emotional and political pressures that led her to withdraw from the 2013 Kisumu gubernatorial race, a decision she later described as 'humiliating.' In a recent National Gender and Equality Commission meeting in Nairobi, Odinga, 59, detailed how her ambition to become the first female governor of Kisumu County was overshadowed by familial and political expectations, particularly those tied to her brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Her 2013 withdrawal, which she announced on national television, was framed as a sacrifice to avoid fracturing the Odinga political bloc ahead of the presidential election. 'I stepped down so that there is peace and that everybody gets the right to stand in these elections,' she stated at the time, emphasizing her campaign had been independent of the Odinga family name.
Odinga’s 2013 exit marked a pivotal moment in her political career, but it also underscored the challenges women face in Kenyan politics, where they are often defined by their relationships to powerful men rather than their own achievements. 'You are either somebody's sister, somebody's wife, somebody's daughter, and never yourself,' she said in 2026, reflecting on the stigma of her lineage. Her professional background—spanning roles as Managing Director of Petro Plus Africa (2002–05) and CEO of Spectre International Limited (2011–13)—had positioned her as a qualified candidate, yet her ambition was met with resistance. 'If it was a man, it would not have been a problem,' she noted, highlighting gender-based barriers. 'I was told,
she said, recounting family meetings where she was pressured to step aside for male relatives.
The pressure intensified after she secured the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) nomination for governor in 2013. Odinga claimed she was later forced to withdraw, leading to a public humiliation that culminated in her televised announcement. 'I was told to step down for the governor and I had to come out on national TV, humiliated enough, so that I said, I don't want to. I mean, I'm leaving, I'm stepping down,' she recalled. Her exit paved the way for Jack Nyanungo Ranguma to become governor, but she later secured the deputy governor position after interventions by Zipporah Kittony and the late Phoebe Asiyo, who reportedly pleaded with Raila Odinga to recognize her contributions. 'They went to my brother and told him,
she said, describing how her perseverance led to a political second chance.
Odinga’s career since 2013 has included roles as a senior adviser to the Kisumu governor and director of special programmes and disaster management from 2017 to 2022. She credited her tenure as deputy governor with driving reforms in Kisumu, stating, 'I fought for my government for nine years to ensure that Kisumu was changing.' Despite these accomplishments, her 2013 withdrawal remained a defining moment. 'As an Odinga, you carry both a blessing and a stigma,' she said, acknowledging the dual burden of her family name. 'For a long time, and even up to now, I still fight the stigma, or rather, maybe it's not a stigma, it's a blessing, of being an Odinga.'
In 2026, Odinga announced her return to the Kisumu governor race, vowing to 'make that happen.' Her decision comes amid broader debates about gender equity in Kenyan politics, where women often face systemic barriers. 'I'm still young. I will come back,' she said in 2013, a promise fulfilled decades later. Her campaign has drawn attention to the intersection of family legacy, political strategy, and gender dynamics. 'I want to be a CEO, as the first woman governor in Kisumu County,' she stated, echoing her 2013 ambition. Critics and supporters alike are watching how her return will impact the Odinga political machine and the broader push for women’s representation in leadership roles.
Odinga’s narrative also highlights the personal cost of political decisions. She described the emotional toll of her 2013 withdrawal, including being found crying in the corridors of the Serena Hotel after her televised announcement. 'They found me in the corridors of Serena Hotel crying after stepping down,' she said, emphasizing the human side of political maneuvering. Her resilience, however, has been a recurring theme. 'I said, why should I leave it for the men? I'm vying. Whether Raila wants to stay or Oburu, [whomever] one of you choose, but I'm going,' she recalled, underscoring her determination.
As she campaigns again, Odinga’s story resonates beyond Kisumu. It reflects the broader struggle for women to assert their political identities in a landscape shaped by patriarchal norms and familial influence. Her return to the governor race underscores the evolving dynamics of Kenyan politics, where legacy and ambition continue to collide. 'I fear for my life,' she said in a separate context, highlighting the risks faced by women in public office. Yet, Odinga remains resolute, framing her journey as a testament to perseverance. 'I'm going for governor. And I'm sure I will make that happen,' she declared, signaling her intent to redefine her political legacy.