Raila’s Sister Announces Bid to Unseat Gachagua’s Close Ally in Parliament

Pauline Oginga, sister to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has declared her intention to contest the Nyali parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election, seeking to unseat the incumbent, Mohammed Ali, also known as Jicho Pevu and a close ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

She made the announcement during an interview with political analyst Herman Manyora on his YouTube platform, Nairobi Review, on Saturday, April 19, 2026.

The health expert confirmed Nyali constituency in Mombasa as her political target, expressing confidence in the area’s diverse voter base.

“For me, there’s a dream in a constituency somewhere… tucked in the coastal region… Nyali,” she said during the interview.

Pauline Oginga Declares Interest in Nyali MP Seat

She attributed her interest in the seat to the constituency’s demographic composition, pointing to the presence of communities she believes could form a strong support base.

“Nyali has always had a significant number of Luo voters. When you walk into areas like Kisumu Ndogo and Maweni, you will find many Luo residents,” Oginga said.

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She added that other communities, including the Luhya, also form part of the constituency’s voting bloc, which she hopes to rally behind her bid.

“There is a mix of communities in Nyali, including Luhyas, and that diversity is important. These are communities I believe I can work with and represent effectively,” she noted.

However, Nyali MP Mohamed Ali has not publicly declared whether he will seek re-election, amid growing speculation over his next political move.

Some leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, have previously urged him to consider a bid for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat, currently held by Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir.

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Raila’s Sister Accuses ODM Leadership of Letting Ruto Inroads

At the same time, Pauline Oginga used the interview to criticise the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership, accusing it of allowing President William Ruto to gain political ground in the party’s traditional strongholds.

“We opened the door, and he has entered… like the story of the camel, first the head, then slowly the whole body, and before you know it, the tent is down,” she said.

“We allowed him too much into our space, and now we are realising he has established roots within our strongholds.”

Oginga warned that the shifting political landscape could have consequences in the next election cycle.

“What I know is that in 2027, there will be casualties,” she said.

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Chief Officer, Public Health County Government Of Mombasa, Pauline Oginga. PHOTO/Mombasa County.