Cracks in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party on Sunday, January 18, continued to intensify after East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) member of parliament Winnie Odinga accused some leaders in the party of attempting to oust fellow members.
Speaking at a rally in Kibira's Kamkunji area, Winnie, who is also the youngest daughter of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, appeared to contradict Party leader Oburu Odinga's statements regarding those who wanted to leave the party.
Winnie authoritatively declared that no one would be removed from the party, noting that even Raila Odinga would not have wanted anyone to be thrown out of the party.
"Nobody will be removed from the party. They talk to much, and when we ask questions they tell us to leave the party. If we leave, who will they remain with? This is a people's party, and when we leave, we will leave with the people," Winnie stated.
The MP insisted that nobody could replace Raila Odinga, accusing some leaders in the party of trying to imitate the former Prime Minister.
She urged residents to register as voters, signalling possible political interest in Nairobi County ahead of the 2027 elections, though the former Premier's daughter declined to clarify her intentions. She also called on ODM to convene the National Delegates Committee (NDC).
Regarding the wrangles in the party, she called for a dialogue, noting that only dialogue could save the party. She accused top leadership of pulling in different directions, confusing ordinary members.
"Raila left us just a while ago. Relax, why are you in a hurry? Let us talk first, come to an agreement, so that we can move on together. As a family, we do not belong to any faction. We remain team Raila," she added.
One interesting moment during Winnie Odinga's address was when the crowd erupted with cheers the moment she conveyed greetings from Embakasi MP Babu Owino and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.
The lawmaker subtly hinted at a possible alignment with the two leaders by promising to accompany the duo during the next rally in Kamkunji.
On the party's cooperation with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Winnie said Raila had not publicly declared support for a formal collaboration. She criticised leaders who claimed Raila had left them to back President William Ruto, saying such claims were disrespectful.
"Raila was one in a million. We will never get anyone like like him. You cannot copy-paste Raila," she asserted.
Her remarks came a week after the ODM leadership toured the same area where ODM leader Oburu Odinga told the dissenting members of the party to leave if they wanted to go. Oburu, however, clarified that he had no intentions to remove anyone from ODM.
ODM has been faced with wrangles, especially after the demise of its longtime leader, Raila Odinga, who passed away in October 2025. During and after his burial, cracks within his party visibly widened as some members backed the Kenya Kwanza administration while others wanted the party to go back to its members and chart a new way towards 2027.
As Winnie, who was accompanied by her brother, Raila Odinga Junior, toured Kibera, ODM leadership was in Kakamega for a Linda Ground Rally, where the party was consolidating support and members' views as the country gears towards the 2027 general elections.
