Odinga siblings enter ODM succession row, back youthful faction

Speaking during public engagements in Nairobi’s Kibra constituency, the two accused a section of ODM leaders of targeting younger party figures, specifically referencing Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.

The siblings said such moves threaten the party’s democratic ethos and legacy.

In her first major political appearance in Kibra since the death of her father, ODM leader Raila Odinga, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP addressed a charged rally at Kamukunji grounds, vowing to remain firmly within the party.

“We will not leave this party that we fought for,” Winnie said, dismissing claims that some leaders were seeking to edge others out. “We paid the price for this movement when it mattered.”

Accompanied by her elder brother, Winnie accused unnamed individuals of exploiting the period following her father’s death to advance narrow political interests. She described them as opportunists and insisted that ODM could not be reduced to personal or commercial interests.

“You cannot copy and paste Baba,” she said, referring to her late father. “ODM cannot be sold or hijacked. We asked for time after Baba’s passing, but some refused to wait.”

Raila Odinga Jr echoed her remarks, stressing that freedom of expression must be upheld within the party and rejecting any attempts to expel members over differing views.

“Kila mtu ana uhuru wa kuzungumza,” he said, adding that ODM must remain tolerant of internal debate.

Winnie further indicated her alignment with the faction associated with Sifuna and Babu Owino, saying the two leaders had her backing. She also relayed greetings from their mother, Ida Odinga, to ODM supporters.

The EALA legislator announced that she intends to take the matter to the party’s National Delegates Conference (NDC), where she plans to challenge what she termed growing sycophancy and misrepresentation of her father’s public positions.

“Baba spoke openly to Kenyans. Claims that he left us in government are misleading,” she said. “ODM does not need praise singers.”

Earlier in the day, Winnie and Raila Jr attended a thanksgiving service at ACK Holy Trinity Church before heading to Kibra.

She later revealed plans to embark on a series of consultative forums across the country to collect views from ODM supporters, signaling a more active role in shaping the party’s future as internal contestations continue.