The chairpersons of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) from the 17 constituencies in Nairobi County have invited East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga to join the party as a Nairobi delegate.
Speaking in Nairobi on Thursday, the leaders stated that the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga had left a void in Nairobi, which would be the only route for Ms Odinga in her quest for a senior leadership position, including a seat on the Central Management Committee.
This announcement comes amid growing divisions within the party regarding who is best suited to the position and how to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We are inviting her to join the party as the delegate. The party has its structures, and Baba was one of the delegates in Nairobi. She should come and talk with us because we have the mandate from the Kenyans and the party supporters,” Mr Daudi Obonyo from Starehe constituency said.
According to the leaders, having her at the Central Management Committee of the party will represent the views of the young generation as well as the interests of the leaders in Nairobi.
“Her voice and the voice of the youth in the party will be included if she is admitted to sit in that committee. This is a party of inclusivity, and that is what we want.”
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s children, Raila Odinga Jr and Winnie Odinga, attend a political rally at Kamukunji Grounds in Kibera, Nairobi, on January 18, 2026.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
Dagoretti Branch chairperson Moses Ogeto, who doubles as Kilimani MCA and the Majority Whip at the Nairobi County Assembly, said that ODM is a party of democracy where members who believe in the ideologies of the late Prime Minister are allowed to express their views.
“There is no problem here in Nairobi. Different people are giving divergent views on how they want Nairobi to be ruled. ODM is united, just as we saw when Baba was alive,” Mr Ogeto said.
Mr Ogeto added that those who are interested in the growth of the party should not be in a hurry to form coalitions.
“What we are saying is that the vehicle should not be moved at that speed, just the way Winnie said. They should not push us like luggage, but consult us as delegates of the party, and that is how Raila used to do,” Mr Ogeto said, dismissing what was witnessed in Kakamega when a section of ODM leaders held a rally.
Kamukunji chairperson and coordinator Paul Oyimba said that ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East Babu Owino will not be chased away from the party echoing sentiments Ms Odinga made last weekend.
Earlier on, a section of ODM youth leaders addressed the media, calling for the inclusion of EALA MP in the party leadership.
From left: Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Saboti MP Caleb Amisi during the World Teachers Day Celebrations at Kenya Science Campus, Nairobi on October 5, 2025.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
Under the leadership of Mr Brian Midiwo, the son of the late Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo, ODM youth group announced that they are in support of Winnie’s appointment to sit in the party roundtable where decisions are being made.
“We are not going to take it for granted, or we are not going to allow people to manipulate the party. We demand that Winnie Odinga be the party leader for now, and after that, we will see if she will perform well,” Mr Midiwo said.
The young leaders also dismissed the calls within the party to dismiss some of the people with different opinions from those who are supporting the broad-based government, saying that the democracy of the party that the late Prime Minister fought for should not be eroded by the leaders who are after their interests.
“We must give Secretary General Senator Edwin Sifuna time to share his opinion, that is why Baba fought for democracy. These people want to kill Baba’s democracy for personal benefit. We are not going to allow.”
