Winnie Odinga's bold call sparks debate on ODM's future, Ruto ties

Winnie Odinga during the EALA Political parties' presentations of their nominations to the joint clerks at the County Hall, Nairobi on November 9, 2022. [File, Standard] Winnie Odinga ignited debate with her remarks describing the relationship between ODM and President William Ruto's broad-based government as "complicated." Speaking amid the party's internal divisions after Raila Odinga's death, Winnie called for a National Delegates Convention (NDC) to determine who should steer ODM's political direction going forward. "It is not a question for me to answer but for the people of ODM. That is why I am requesting that we need to go back to the people and have an NDC and see who the people want to pick to manage that same relationship," she said. Her comments emphasised the need for fresh leadership and a clear mandate from the grassroots rather than decisions being made by party elders alone. In response, ODM party leader Oburu Oginga, Raila's brother, welcomed the dialogue but urged that such discussions be held privately and respectfully within the Odinga family. At ODM's 20th anniversary celebrations, he said: "I want to tell Winnie that we will speak about that in private, at home." Oburu reaffirmed his lifelong loyalty to Raila's legacy: "I have walked with Raila for over 80 years and I have never betrayed him. The seat that I have been given - I will take the mantle from where my brother left, to achieve his vision and goal." He called on ODM members to focus on grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 election, emphasising "Politics is numbers. Registration is crucial - we must register as voters and as party members." Oburu stressed ODM would maintain its alliance with the broad-based government until 2027 when the party will decide its future political stance. Tom Aosa the President of National Community Based Organisations Council says Winnie is the right person to lead ODM. "She is not just a woman. She is a child of revolution. She stands with the youth and currently the youth are the largest voting block. She already has a constituency," says Aosa. He further added that Ms Odinga possesses the grit to go the long haul. "She is tough. She is not afraid of anyone. She is the right person to lead the party, inject some new ideas and fresh blood. She is not poor either so she isn't stunned by money. If she puts her mind to work for Kenyans she will achieve anything she wants." Winnie's early education started at Rusinga School in Nairobi before she went to Brookhouse International School for her secondary education. She holds a Bachelor's degree in International Business and Corporate Communication from Drexel University in Philadelphia, USA, where she graduated in 2009. Later, she attained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the United States International University, Africa in 2016. Still a novice in politics, Winnie's political journey has seen her take on the role of a Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), where she advocates for regional integration, youth empowerment, and women's rights. When Raila Odinga was ill and eventually passed away in India, Ms Odinga was among the few close family members by his side. When she came back to Kenya in the same plane carrying her father's remains an iconic somber photo was taken of her kneeling down before her mother Ida Odinga as she gave her the white panama hat that was widely synonymous with Raila Odinga. Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai dismisses any chance of Winnie inheriting her father's constituency. "Charity begins at home. She can't even agree with her own brother. During Raila Junior's coronation as head of the family, Winnie was away in Riat. She only came back after she heard that Uhuru's family were to visit. " Alai says Winnie has no people skills and is a poor mobiliser. "The people who worked with her during the last elections suffered. She is one of the reasons Raila lost the elections. She listens to no one apart from herself. Baba was a people's person. "In my constituency Baba knew more than ten people who could give him updates. By the time Baba called me he knew the situation in the ground. Winnie lack that connection to the ground. She can't even speak passable Swahili. " Political analysis Martin Andati says Winnie stands a chance only if she gets into alliance with other youthful figures within ODM. Andati clarifies that Winnie's tact is to call for a National Delegates Convention and this will give her an easy way to dethrone her uncle and take over the ODM party. "The trio of Babu Owino, Sifuna and Winnie can easy kick out the old guard in ODM if they go the Delegates way in choosing party leadership. They have the youth, the stamina and energy to win over Delegates," says Andati, adding that even during the ODM@20 celebrations in Mombasa the comments from Babu and Ms Odinga seemed to be coordinated. "They all had sat earlier and decided on what to say and Sifuna gave them the opportunity. They all spoke what was in Sifuna's mind but he didn't want to say."

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