Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwour, popularly known as Jalang’o, has boldly declared that President William Ruto is on track for a landslide re-election in 2027, citing a fragmented opposition and growing public appreciation of his administration’s efforts.
Speaking during an interview with radio personality Alex Mwakideu on Thursday, July 17, 2025, Jalang’o said it is becoming increasingly difficult to imagine a scenario where Ruto is unseated.
“Ruto kurudi inaenda kuwa ngumu na kumtoa ndio inaenda kuwa ngumu zaidi. Rais William Ruto ndio anaenda kuwa raisi tena, anaenda kushinda mbali sana,” he stated.
According to the youthful legislator, no strong challenger has emerged to rival the president, and Ruto’s growing confidence on the national stage reflects his firm political grip.
“Sijaona mtu wa kumtoa ama kumsumbua. Ndiyo sababu unaona anaongea akiwa na ile confidence. Anasema ‘sahi siasa bado, itafika na itaamuliwa,’” he added.
Public and Political Pressure
Jalang’o acknowledged that President Ruto is facing both genuine public dissatisfaction and political pressure from opponents, but insisted that many Kenyans are beginning to see the impact of his work—even if some of his campaign promises remain incomplete.
“Hiyo pressure kuna ya ukweli ya watu ambao hawajaridhika na mheshimiwa rais na utendakazi wake. Pia kuna pressure ya kisiasa, inasukumwa kisiasa. Kama ni utendakazi, rais amekuwa miaka miwili na nusu lakini kuna ahadi nyingi ambazo zimeanza kutekelezwa,” he said.
He argued that expectations for instant delivery are unrealistic given the scale of the government’s development plans.
“Hii miaka miwili watu wanataka barabara zikuwe zimeisha, nyumba zimekamilika, kila kitu imeisha. Lakini sasa ukiangalia, kuna mambo nyingi ambazo rais aliahidi na sasa zinaanza kuonekana,” Jalang’o noted.
“Very soon watu wataanza kuappreciate kuwa kazi ilikuwa inafanyika. Tulipokuwa tukieka pressure, tulikuwa tunataka kazi iishe. He will be able to show something.”
Jalang’o likened Ruto’s situation to that of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, whose major infrastructure projects like the SGR and Nairobi Expressway came to fruition during his second term. Yet, he observed, Kenyans now expect Ruto to complete his entire development agenda within just two years.
“But everybody wants Ruto to finish everything and his plans in two years,” he said.
Ruto Confident of Re-election
President Ruto himself has expressed supreme confidence in his 2027 re-election bid. Speaking during a rally in Kisumu on May 29, 2025, the president dismissed the opposition, branding them as disorganised and lacking vision.
“These are people who have no vision, no plan, and no agenda. We will show them dust; they won’t believe,” Ruto said at the launch of the LV Point Affordable Housing project.
He ridiculed their reliance on slogans such as “Ruto Must Go” and “Kasongo,” saying they are void of substance and unfit to disrupt his development-focused agenda.
Opposition in Disarray
Jalang’o’s comments come as the opposition remains fragmented, with no clear front-runner or unified messaging. The once-powerful Azimio coalition is splintering, while the newly launched Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), led by impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, is vying to fill the vacuum—further dividing the anti-Ruto camp.
Analysts view Jalang’o’s vocal support for Ruto as a strategic alignment, especially after his previous fallout with the ODM leadership for cooperating with the president on constituency development matters.
As the political stage for 2027 continues to take shape, Jalang’o’s message is clear: Ruto is the man to beat—if he can be beaten at all. Whether this early advantage holds in the face of rising youth discontent, economic pressures, and emerging challengers remains to be seen.
