Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has opened up about the challenges she faced in her political career because of her association with the influential Odinga family.

Ruth, the sister of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and current ODM leader Oburu Oginga, said her family name at times became a major factor in decisions surrounding her political ambitions.

She recalled that she first sought an elective position in 2013, when she set her sights on becoming Kisumu governor following the introduction of devolved government under the 2010 Constitution.

Ruth said she was encouraged to pursue the position as a woman leader, having previously served as a chief executive of a major company in Kisumu.

However, her political ambitions soon became complicated by Raila’s presidential bid.

“My going for the Kisumu governor position was going to give Hon. Raila ‘a bad name’,” Ruth recalled, explaining the concerns raised by some ODM leaders at the time.

Despite the pressure, she proceeded with the party nominations and said she defeated her closest rival, Jack Ranguma. She ultimately stepped aside and became Ranguma’s deputy.

Her political journey took another turn in 2017 when ODM leaders backed Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o for the Kisumu governor position.

Ruth said she was again advised against contesting and instead served in Nyong’o’s administration as a special adviser on disaster management.

In 2022, Ruth said she could not challenge Nyong’o because he was seeking a second term. She subsequently contested for the Kisumu Woman Representative seat.

Even then, she rejected the opportunity to receive a direct ODM nomination certificate and opted to compete in the party primaries.

“This time round, there was the option of being handed the ODM certificate, but I said ‘no’. I had to face the voters in the party primaries,” she said.

Ruth emerged victorious and went on to win the general election with 304,419 votes against her closest competitor’s 80,117.

Looking back, she described that decision as one of her best political choices.

“Had I been handed the ODM certificate on a silver platter in 2022, ningeambia watu nini in 2027?” she posed.

The woman rep said her experience has reinforced her belief that political candidates should earn their party tickets through competitive nominations rather than relying on family names or political connections.