East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga is facing an increasingly delicate political balancing act, having failed to publicly align herself with either ODM or Linda Mwananchi Movement even after declaring interest in the Nairobi senatorial seat.
Her uncertain political positioning was evident over the weekend when she skipped two major political events: the unveiling of Linda Mwananchi officials and the launch of its Nairobi headquarters, as well as an ODM rally at Jacaranda Grounds led by her uncle and ODM party leader, Dr Oburu Oginga, who participated virtually.
At Friday's Linda Mwananchi launch in Lavington, a front-row seat had been reserved for Winnie, but she failed to turn up despite her public association with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, the party leader of Linda Mwananchi Movement.
The function was attended by opposition leaders, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Mr Musyoka was heckled by some attendees while delivering his speech.
Ahead of the ODM rally at Jacaranda Grounds, posters bearing Winnie's image, the party colours and her senatorial ambitions were widely circulated on social media, raising expectations that she would attend and signal her return to the party. However, she was conspicuously absent.
Nation reached out to Winnie on her political stance and about her preferred election vehicle for the Nairobi senate seat. By the time of going to press, she had not answered calls or responded to text messages sent to her known contact.
However, on Monday, she posted a snapshot poll asking her Instagram followers on the right outfit for her bid. A majority picked Linda Mwananchi Movement of Mr Sifuna, while others told her on run on ODM.
The daughter of the former ODM leader Raila Odinga has been sending mixed signals about her political allegiance since declaring her interest in the Nairobi Senate seat on October 15. She has also largely avoided public political gatherings.
Winnie Odinga announces her entry into the race for Nairobi’s senatorial seat
Speaking during the event marking the first anniversary of her father's death last month, Winnie said she had decided to end speculation about her political future by declaring her interest in the Nairobi Senate seat.
“I know many people have been asking where I am and where I am going. Today, I want to answer them so that it is no longer speculation,” she said.
“Since Edwin Sifuna is seeking another office, there is a vacancy in the Nairobi Senate seat, and that is why I have decided to run for senator. I am not going alone; I am going with the youth,” she added.
Her remarks were widely interpreted as an indication that she was leaning towards Linda Mwananchi. However, even within Linda Mwananchi, her path to the Senate is far from clear. She faces competition from nominated Senator Crystal Asige, whose political profile is rising within the outfit and who has accompanied Mr Sifuna on political tours across the country.
There is also the question of how the party will manage competing ambitions for Nairobi's elective seats. Mr Sifuna and other Linda Mwananchi leaders have openly backed Embakasi East MP Babu Owino for governor, while former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo who is one of the deputy party leaders is eyeing the women's representative position.
The competing ambitions could complicate the party’s efforts to agree on candidates for the various Nairobi seats as opposition parties seek to negotiate a common political front.
In November 2025, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said their respective parties would negotiate for the governor, senator and women's representative positions.
Embakasi North MP James Gakuya has also declared his intention to contest the governorship on a Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) ticket.
Winnie Odinga addresses the gathering during the first anniversary commemoration of the death of her father, former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, at Migwena Cultural Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County, on October 15, 2026. She announced her intention to contest the Nairobi senatorial seat.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
On the ODM side, Winnie faces competition from within the Odinga family's political network. Her brother, Raila Odinga Junior, has endorsed Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang'o, for the Nairobi Senate seat and maintained that he would only reconsider his position if her sister secured the party's nomination.
Mr Jalang'o has accompanied President William Ruto on several visits to Nairobi and has previously been referred to as a senator during those engagements.
Winnie's strained relationship with ODM's current leadership has further complicated her political position following her father's death.
On February 12, this year after Mr Sifuna was removed as ODM secretary-general, Winnie openly criticised the decision and joined the Nairobi senator and other leaders at a press conference to condemn his ouster.
“It is not well,” she said following the decision to strip Mr Sifuna of the secretary-general position.
Winnie Odinga speaks during ODM's Special Delegates Convention at Nairobi’s Jamhuri Grounds.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
Earlier, during a rally at Kamukunji Grounds in Kibra on January 18, 2026, Winnie had declared that nobody would be expelled from ODM, dismissing threats against dissenting members and criticising what she described as opportunists who had taken control of the party following her father's death.
“On this journey, we were passengers, and Baba was the driver. One day, we woke up and were shocked. The driver had died. Slowly, some people moved to the front, grabbed the steering wheel, and pulled it in different directions,” she told the crowd.
“They pushed us, passengers, to the back. They forgot Baba died only yesterday. Why the rush? Stop the bus. Let us talk. Let us decide together and move forward. We see that not everyone among us who believed in Baba was genuine. Some were just using him,” she said.
During ODM's 20th anniversary celebrations in Mombasa in November last year, Winnie also questioned the manner in which the party was engaging with President Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA), calling for the National Delegates Conference (NDC) to ratify key decisions.
“The Constitution of ODM says that no member of the Central Committee or the NEC is able to act on behalf of the party of ODM unless they’re ratified by the NDC,” she said.
In May, during the burial of Senator Richard Onyonka's mother in Kisii, Winnie also took issue with Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, further exposing her differences with senior figures in ODM.
“The National Treasury is not a political office, it’s not a personal office, it’s not a platform for you to abuse us and talk to us however you want. The role of that office is to safeguard the value of the public's money,” she said.
Winnie Odinga during her anointing by Rose Otumba, Women Representative of the Luo Council of Elders in Siaya, in Bondo, Siaya County, on October 3, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation
On October 4, she was crowned Raila's political heir at a ceremony attended by her mother, Ida Odinga, and other family members. However, Raila Junior gave the event a wide berth, saying he was unaware of the coronation, an incident that has since fuelled speculation about tensions within the family.
Following her father's first anniversary, Winnie also lashed out at ODM leaders, blaming them for the chaos witnessed during the commemorative event at Migwena Grounds.
“Lovely seeing all ODM officials celebrating Baba’s first memorial. While they were in Dubai, we received their gift from Afgoonistan. Ahsante. We must reciprocate,” she wrote on Instagram.
University don Professor Lumala Masibo says Winnie could stand a chance in the Nairobi senatorial contest if political realignments in the city eliminate some of her potential rivals.
“If Winnie plays her cards well in Linda Mwananchi, she will win Nairobi but the problem is that if Babu and Faith end up vying, then it will be tough for Winnie. Winnie, Faith and Babu will have to sit down and one will have to drop his or her bid,” said Prof Masibo.
Unlike her brother Raila Junior, who has received backing from influential ODM leaders for his Kibra parliamentary ambitions and is said to enjoy the ear of President Ruto, Winnie has yet to receive an open endorsement from a senior leader in either the ODM mainstream or Linda Mwananchi faction.
Her absence from the weekend's political gatherings has therefore left unanswered questions about her political vehicle, the faction she intends to work with and whether she can consolidate support ahead of the 2027 Nairobi Senate race.
