Former ODM leader Raila Odinga’s daughter, Winnie Odinga, on Sunday criticised a section of the party’s leaders, accusing them of advancing selfish political interests and deliberately sidelining her.
Speaking during a fiery public rally in Kibra, Nairobi, the East African Legislative Assembly MP accused a faction within the party of hijacking power, making unilateral decisions without consultation and threatening critics with expulsion.
Ms Odinga warned that she would not remain silent when things go wrong within the party. She acknowledged resistance from some quarters of the party but insisted she would continue speaking out regardless of the political discomfort it causes.
Her comments echoed warnings she issued during an ODM meeting in Mombasa late last year, where she cautioned party leaders against the “auctioning” of the party.
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
“We were passengers and Baba was the driver. Then one day Baba was no more. Suddenly, those who were near him rushed to the steering wheel, all pulling it in different directions, while pushing us around like luggage,” said Ms Odinga.
She told supporters that her family was not aligned to any of the emerging factions, further accusing some leaders of hypocrisy and false claims of political proximity to Raila .
“As a family, we are not in either faction. We are Team Baba. We belong to the side that belongs to Baba,” she said.
According to Ms Odinga, the party risks losing public support due to selfish individuals who claim leadership while betraying its founding values.
“We are saying today: relax. Baba died just the other day. What is the hurry? Let us talk first and move forward together. Baba was never a sycophant. There was not a single day when Baba told us he had left us. Those claiming that Baba privately told them this or that are being disrespectful. Everything Baba said was said openly in front of his people,” she said.
She labelled some of ODM leaders as sycophants who are exploiting the party to advance their personal interests, which she said run contrary to the dreams of the party’s founders.
“There are people who never believed in Baba, they were just using him. Some of them were never there during ODM struggles. Many used him for their own interests and clearly do not understand what this party stands for,” she said.
Ms Odinga added that no party member should be expelled for expressing their opinion on the broad-based government.
“They talk too much, and when we question them, they tell us to leave the party. If we all leave, who will remain? This party belongs to the people. I bring greetings from Babu Owino and Edwin Sifuna. We are united,” she said.
ODM party leader Oburu Oginga addresses the public rally at Kamukunji grounds in Kibera, Nairobi County on January 14, 2026.
Photo credit: DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION
Speaking to party supporters at the same grounds on Wednesday, ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga asked a section of leaders and members who are unhappy with the way the outfit is being managed to leave without causing confusion and sending mixed signals to members.
“We must remain united as a party, and we do not intend to chase anyone away. Those who wish to leave should do so on their own. As ODM, our focus is on strengthening the party,” Dr Oginga said.
Winnie Odinga addresses a political rally at Kamukunji Grounds in Kibera, Nairobi, on January 18,2026.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
During yesterday’s rally, Ms Odinga noted that attention is now focused on the long-awaited National Delegates Conference, where critical party decisions are expected to be made.
Nairobi County Assembly Majority Whip and Kilimani Ward Rep Moses Ogeto, who had accompanied Ms Odinga, demanded that the party creates a leadership position for her to ensure that she is involved in decision-making.
“We want her to sit in ODM leadership. We are asking party leader Dr Oburu Odinga to ensure that, within the next two weeks, Winnie is part of the leadership. She understands what Baba fought for, and we will not allow the party to be twisted,” he said.
Raila Odinga Jr also criticised Kibra’s leadership after residents complained about lack of access to water and electricity.
“Baba did not want Kibra to remain the way it is. He had a dream for Kibra—schools, roads, jobs for the youth and decent housing. He also envisioned a world-class market at Toi Market,” he said.
Ms Odinga told residents that she would return to engage various groups ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Ms Odinga and Mr Odinga Jr spoke as Dr Oginga, attended two separate meetings in Kakamega town and Butere on Sunday, which laid bare the wrangles in the party.
He unsuccessfully sought to bridge a widening rift between Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, who held rival meetings. While Mr Barasa led the ODM Linda Ground meeting at the Golf Hotel in Kakamega town, Mr Oparanya spearheaded another n Butere.
However, the symbolic reconciliation he hoped to stage failed. When he invited Mr Oparanya to address the Kakamega town meeting as a public show of unity, the CS had already departed.
“I want the minister to come here and speak for himself,” Dr Oburu said from the podium. Moments later, an aide quietly informed him that Mr Oparanya was no longer at the venue.
