The first anniversary of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s death offered an insight into the battle for his succession in the family.
At Migwena Grounds in Bondo, Odinga’s widow Ida welcomed rival political camps, her daughter Winnie declared her ambition for the Nairobi Senate seat, and son Raila Junior affirmed his allegiance to, ODM, exposing the competing interests shaping the family’s political future ahead of the General Election in 2027.
Winnie Odinga during the first anniversary commemoration of her late father, former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, at Migwena Cultural Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County, on October 15, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Odinga’s younger sister and Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, however, threatened to abandon the party led by her elder brother and Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, over what she sees as a departure from its founding ideals.
The divisions point to two political factions centred on Odinga’s legacy. One faction oscillates towards President William Ruto , Dr Oginga and Raila Junior and supports the broad-based government.
The other brings together Winnie and the Linda Mwananchi team led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, which has challenged ODM’s cooperation with the President and appears to have Ruth’s backing.
The competing alignments underscore the struggle over whether Odinga’s legacy should be carried through cooperation with the government or a return to confrontational opposition politics.
Raila Odinga Junior addresses supporters during the first anniversary commemoration of the death of his father, former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, at Migwena Cultural Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County, on October 15, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Senator Oginga dismisses claims that ODM’s cooperation with President Ruto amounts to betrayal of its founding ideals, saying it is a deliberate continuation of his brother’s struggle.
Through the cooperation, some ODM members have bagged state jobs, including Ida, who was appointed Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme in February.
Dr Oginga maintains that ODM must move beyond defending the Constitution to implementing its provisions on economic equity, devolution and institutional integrity.
“We cannot implement our progressive ideals from the periphery,” the senator said in his written speech at the anniversary, adding that ODM must position itself to form the next government by leveraging its numbers and strength.
While the anniversary was meant to unite the family, Migwena Cultural Grounds became a stage for competing ambitions, exposing the fault lines in the Odinga household and ODM as the country edges towards the General Election.
As Ida called for reconciliation and tolerance, Winnie announced her intention to contest the Nairobi Senate seat, hinting at working with Mr Sifuna’s faction, while Raila Junior affirmed his presence in ODM on whose ticket he is eyeing the Kibra MP seat.
The question is whether the family is deliberately keeping its options open across competing camps or if its members are pursuing separate ambitions in a struggle over who inherits Odinga’s influence.
The speeches at Migwena offered clues, but no definitive evidence of a coordinated family strategy. Ida’s warning about those invoking her husband’s name added another dimension to the contest.
“Because I know how deeply Kenyans loved Raila, many voices will continue to invoke his name in the months and years to come,” she said, adding that some would do so out of genuine admiration while others would act out of convenience and self-interest.
Her remarks appeared to speak directly to the political competition over Odinga’s legacy, though she did not identify the people she had in mind.
“During the December 10, 2021, Azimio la Umoja Convention at Kasarani, I released Jakom to the public. I gave him to you alive, but you gave him back to me in a coffin,” she said.
Ida Odinga addresses mourners during the first anniversary commemoration of the death of her husband, former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, at Migwena Cultural Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County, on October 15, 2026. She appealed to Kenyans to embrace peace, tolerance and love in honour of his legacy.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
“I know you are asking where I am and where we are headed. I want to respond,” she told the crowd.
“Let it not be a rumour that as Sifuna searches for other offices, there is a space in the Senate. That is why I have decided to contest the Nairobi Senate seat. I am not going alone; I am going with young people,” she said.
The declaration placed Winnie's ambitions alongside those of a political camp seeking to challenge the broad-based government and redefine the opposition ahead of 2027.
Raila Junior invoked his father’s commitment to ordinary Kenyans, devolution and national unity, adding that Odinga’s political work remains unfinished.
“Baba loved everyone and Kibra. I also do. I remember the many things he taught us – the biggest being to stand for what is right and defend the weak,” he said.
“His politics was not about power but ordinary people. He carried their hopes as if they were his own children.”
He also recalled his father’s role in bringing peace after the disputed 2007 presidential election. Raila Junior said Odinga helped pull Kenya from the brink because he believed the country was bigger than himself.
The remarks echoed his earlier insistence that ODM is the party his father left behind, a position contrasting with the efforts of some former allies to establish an alternative opposition platform.
Luo elders, however, say the family should remain in the broad-based government.
Yesterday, Ker Odungi Randa, the Chairman of the Luo Council of Elders, said the former Prime Minister had a reason for choosing to work with President Ruto, adding that what appears to be shining on “the other side” may not be real.
“I plead with the family to be steadfast in the broad-based government where Odinga left them and the community. Let them not scatter because of the current wave. Grass may not be greener on the other side they appear attracted to,” Mr Randa said.
The family of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, led by his widow Ida Odinga (left), seated at the dais during the first anniversary commemoration of his death at Migwena Cultural Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County, on October 15, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
He added that the interests of the family and community are better catered for in the broad-based government.
Political analyst Obora Okoth says the statements and moves by the family, especially through Winnie and Ruth, should be taken seriously as they paint the real picture and feeling of the Odinga household.
“It is clear the family has a stand or had already taken it even when Jakom was alive. It is now coming out explicitly. They are attempting to manage it, but one can tell from the ripples where their hearts and souls lie. It is not with President Ruto,” Prof Okoth said.
Having analysed Winnie’s declaration to run for the Senate seat and saying she would move with the people, particularly the youth, Prof Okoth says it is clear she is going to associate and walk with Linda Mwananchi.
According to the don, Winnie’s choice of words shows she is on her way out of ODM, just like her aunt Ruth.
He, however, warns that family members gunning for political seats will have to depend on their individual skills and brilliance – not their father’s name.
“The dynasty ended with Odinga. One or two may get elected, but out of their own brilliance. They will fizzle after that,” Prof Okoth said.
Ruth delivered one of the clearest warnings to ODM leadership, declaring that she is prepared to leave the party if remaining means compromising the principles her brother championed and fought for.
Ruth Odinga speaks during the first anniversary commemoration of her brother, former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, at Migwena Cultural Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County, on October 15, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
“If it means Ruth Odinga forfeiting everything to stand with ODM, I will. If not, I will move on to another party,” the Kisumu Woman Representative said.
She framed her position around justice, democracy and freedom of expression, saying her brother Odinga and father Jaramogi devoted their lives to those principles.
Her remarks drew a sharp response from ODM Deputy Leader Simba Arati, who told those considering leaving the party to do so.
