Her announcement comes as current Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna prepares to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 election.
Speaking during events marking the first anniversary of her father Raila Odinga’s death, Winnie said she had decided to end speculation about her political plans by declaring her interest in the Senate seat, although she did not clarify which party’s ticket she would use.
“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, adding that she would fill the vacancy that Mr Sifuna would leave and go “with the youth”.
Winnie Odinga announces her entry into the race for Nairobi’s senatorial seat
Winnie’s declaration could complicate efforts by Linda Mwananchi and other opposition leaders to negotiate electoral alliances and share seats in key urban constituencies, particularly in high-profile seats in Nairobi and Mombasa.
Linda Mwananchi has already declared support for Embakasi East MP Babu Owino’s bid for Nairobi governor, while there are indications that former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo wants to be the city’s Woman Representative. If the faction agrees to a broader opposition arrangement that allocates the governor’s seat to one partner. Winnie’s Senate ambitions could become part of difficult negotiations over which candidates each side supports.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino (left) and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna at Stanley Hotel in Nairobi on October 4,2026 during the unveiling of the Equitable Party.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation
Nairobi’s political landscape presents another challenge. Since the 2013 elections, the governorship, Senate, parliamentary and women’s representative positions have been held by politicians from different communities, making the distribution of seats an important consideration in alliance-building.
Opposition leaders have previously discussed sharing key Nairobi positions. In November 2025, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said their parties would negotiate the governor, senator and women’s representative seats.
Embakasi North MP James Gakuya has declared his intention to seek the governorship on a Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) ticket. A recent meeting between Linda Mwananchi leaders and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua stirred online rumours that Mr Owino had agreed to step down for the DCP aspirant, something the Embakasi East MP denied.
“My unworthy opponents have given up and are now banking on fake news,” he said, adding that he was confident of winning the seat.
Embakasi North MP James Gakuya (right) and Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru at the DCI headquarters on July 31, 2024.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Winnie also faces competition from within the Odinga family’s political network. Her brother, Raila Junior, has endorsed Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, for the Nairobi Senate seat.
Jalang’o regularly accompanies President Ruto on visits to Nairobi and has previously been referred to as a senator during those engagements.
After Winnie announced her bid, Jalang’o posted on social media: “I am ready.”
Earlier this month, Raila Junior publicly backed Jalang’o, saying: “I would like to congratulate Hon Jalas (Jalang’o) for standing up. We are behind you as ODM.”
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s children, Raila Odinga Junior and Winnie Odinga, attend a political rally at Kamukunji Grounds in Kibera, Nairobi, on January 18, 2026.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
Nominated Senator Crystal Asige, who is also in the Linda Mwananchi faction, has also announced she is vying for senator, making it tougher for the Winnie candidature.
On Tuesday, Ms Asige joined the delegation that accompanied Mr Sifuna to visit Mr Gachagua at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri County.
DCP party Leader Rigathi Gachagua met with Linda Mwananchi Party leb by leader Edwin Sifuna at his Wamunyoro residence.
Photo credit: Pool
Adding to it, Ms Odhiambo, from the same faction, has also announced her bid for the Women Representative Seat in Nairobi.
This means Winnie, Mr Owino, Ms Odhiambo, all with roots from Nyanza, are vying for the top seats in Nairobi from the Linda Mwananchi side. On the broad-based government camp, Mr Jalang’o, the Lang’ata MP, who also hails from the same region, is vying for the Senate.
Winnie’s association with Linda Mwananchi, which opposes President Ruto’s re-election, could also complicate her efforts to secure support from ODM members who favour cooperation with the President’s administration.
It would also make Raila Jnr and ODM leader Dr Oburu Oginga campaign against her since the Siaya Senator has publicly declared before that the party will field candidates across all the electives in the city.
ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga.
Photo credit: Pool
According to political analyst Javas Bigambo, Winnie faces a herculean task given the race for senate is crowded, the choice of venue where she made her announcement and the ethnic intrigues.
“She declared her candidature in Bondo, where most people are not voting in Nairobi. The choice of venue was wrong and she should have organised a meeting in Nairobi, possibly a rally and declared her political ambition. “She has been an EALA MP and has not indicated the current oversight challenges which she needs to correct. She is running because of the gap left by Sifuna and if Sifuna was running, she wouldn’t be running,” he said
He added: “Can she point out Sifuna's challenges in overseeing Nairobi that she should do better than the Linda Mwananchi party. If Rigathi supports Sifuna, then DCP will most likely want to be a governor. There is no way DCP will support Sifuna and not demand the governorship because the interests of the two are not aligned, Babu or Sifuna’s interest.”
However, Prof Lumala Masibo holds a contrary view, saying Winnie stands a better chance than other candidates.
“Let us remember this is Baba’s (Raila Odinga’s) daughter; she is an EALA MP and I feel everyone has an equal chance as it stands. You have to think about the composition of Nairobi and know that a majority of voters in Nairobi come from Mount Kenya where Linda Mwananchi now is sourcing for partnership,” he said.
The professor added: “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.”
He predicted that there is a wave coming and in May, after the nominations have been done, there will be a lot of realignment.
“The fact that she used her father’s anniversary to announce her decision shows she was speaking to her late father’s supporters in Nairobi,” he added.
