Winnie Odinga: ODM must field presidential candidate in 2027

The daughter of the late opposition leader Raila Odinga, Winnie Odinga, has reignited debate over the future of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after saying the party intends to field a presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election.

Ms Odinga's latest remarks come amid uncertainty over ODM’s political cooperation pact with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Ms Odinga, who is not an official spokesperson of the ODM but is a prominent party member and political figure in her own right, told journalists over the weekend that the primary objective of any political party is to seek power and advance democratic ideals, arguing that ODM remains a formidable political force.

“The purpose of any political party is to capture power, and I believe ODM must field a candidate everywhere,” she said when asked about the party’s plans for the presidential race.

Ms Odinga made the remarks at Pioneer Girls School, owned by billionaire businessman Peter Munga, during a forum that brought together education stakeholders to discuss career pathways.

Her comments come in the backdrop of the “broad-based” cooperation agreement between ODM and UDA, which followed Raila Odinga’s decision to work with President Ruto after the 2024 anti-government protests.

Read: Oburu Oginga: Why I feared post-Raila family fallout

While the pact saw ODM figures join government and Parliament leadership positions, it has also sparked internal unease within the party, with critics arguing that it has blurred ODM’s opposition identity.

Ms Odinga also addressed internal tensions within ODM, insisting that differences of opinion are inevitable in a large political party.

“Not everybody will think the same. People are going to compete, and ODM needs to be competitive — and we are,” she said.

"Plotting to sell the party"

Internal party divisions became more pronounced during ODM’s 20-year anniversary celebrations, where Ms Odinga accused some party members of attempting to “sell the party.”

She also questioned whether those currently managing the ODM–UDA arrangement have the political weight and skill to sustain it following Odinga’s death.

“The broad-based relationship is complicated. Those managing it now — are they capable? There is only one Baba Raila Odinga who could manage it,” she said at the time calling for a National Delegates Convention (NDC) to allow party members to decide the future of the cooperation agreement.

Her remarks triggered a war of words with some ODM stalwarts who maintain that their participation in government reflects Odinga’s wishes and is meant to safeguard the party’s influence at the national level.

Read: Aladwa asks ODM to 'create' position for Winnie Odinga in party's top leadership

The ODM–UDA deal has remained informal and largely opaque, with no clear timeline on whether the two parties will cooperate into 2027 or eventually part ways — a question that continues to fuel factionalism within ODM.

The land on which Pioneer Girls School stands has also been at the centre of an ownership dispute involving fruit juice processor Del Monte Kenya Limited and Mr Munga.

Mr Munga assured stakeholders that the school continues to operate normally.

“A lot has been said about Pioneer Girls School, and I want to assure our stakeholders that the institution remains operational and learning has not been disrupted. If there is any issue regarding ownership, the court should provide directions, not social media propaganda, which I am not ready to respond to,” he said.

Mr Munga is an influential businessman in Mount Kenya politics, having previously been associated with the Mount Kenya Foundation, a network of elite business and political leaders known for quietly backing presidential candidates.

His recent public engagement with Ms Odinga has fueled speculation about possible political undertones, even as both parties framed the meeting around education.

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