Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has no other option apart from quitting politics after last week's mini polls loss, politicians from Central Kenya have observed.
Led by Mathira Member of Parliament Rigathi Gachagua, the leaders said ODM's defeat in Ugenya and Embakasi South by-elections was a sign Raila has lost his grip in national politics.
The first-time MP said the current crop of voters in the perceived ODM zones have given up on the former prime minister, and it was only wise for him to retire after being in politics for over three decades.
"There is a generation of voters that is not loyal. They are asking Raila: 'what’s in store for us?' He cannot provide answers," said Gachagua, as quoted by the Daily Nation.
Expressing similar sentiments, Kiharu legislator Ndindi Nyoro said Ugenya residents refused to vote for ODM's candidate Chris Karan in the mini-election, to send a message to Raila (Baba) that he has "taken them for a ride for too long".
Karan lost his seat to former area MP David Ochieng who vied on little-known Movement of Democracy and Growth (MDG) party.
"Baba should salvage his dwindling political fortunes by hanging the coat. Baba retire, watu wa Nyanza na Kenya wamechoka na wewe (Nyanza people and other Kenyans are fed up with you)," Nyoro said in a Facebook post.
However, the ODM boss has termed the defeat of his candidates as no big deal, saying his party was still strong in his Nyanza backyard and nationally.