Winnie Odinga Breaks Silence on ODM Power Struggle With Oburu
East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament Winnie Odinga has publicly reaffirmed her loyalty to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership under Oburu Odinga, strongly dismissing claims that the party is split by internal divisions.
Speaking on Saturday, December 13, during a public event in Gatanga, Murang’a County, Winnie sought to calm growing speculation of infighting within ODM, insisting that the party remains united and firmly grounded in its founding principles.
Addressing concerns over her political position, the EALA legislator made it clear that her allegiance to the party leadership is both personal and political, stressing that she would never align herself with any faction outside that led by her uncle.
“The party leader is my uncle. There is no day I will be in a faction he is not in. He is the head of my family, and I am always with him,” Winnie said.
Her remarks come amid persistent claims that ODM is experiencing internal fractures following differing opinions on the party’s engagement with the broad-based political arrangement. Winnie has previously been perceived as sympathetic to voices opposed to the arrangement, while Oburu Odinga has been widely associated with the pro–broad-based camp.
However, Winnie downplayed the significance of such differences, arguing that competition and debate are natural in democratic politics and should not be mistaken for disunity.
“The party will always have disagreements, but that doesn’t mean that ODM is falling apart. Not everybody will think the same, and people are going to compete. Raila taught us what to do,” she added.
She further insisted that ODM continues to operate under collective leadership and remains guided by the ideals laid down by its founder, the late Raila Odinga. According to Winnie, internal debates only strengthen the party rather than weaken it.
Looking ahead to the 2027 General Election, the EALA MP maintained that ODM remains focused on expanding its political footprint nationwide. She said the party intends to field candidates in all elective positions, describing competitiveness as essential to achieving power.
“The purpose of a political party is to capture power. All power. ODM must be competitive and fill candidates everywhere. But that does not mean the party is divided,” she said.
Winnie also criticised party members who have threatened to quit ODM due to internal disagreements, suggesting such moves reflect a failure to uphold the values instilled by the party’s leadership.
Her latest comments appear to mark a shift in tone following earlier remarks in which she questioned Oburu Odinga’s suitability to lead the party after he assumed the role following Raila Odinga’s death. At the time, Winnie had called for a National Delegates Convention (NDC), arguing that party members should be allowed to decide the future direction of ODM.
Those statements had fuelled speculation of a rift within the Odinga family and raised questions about a possible power struggle at the heart of the party.
Oburu Odinga later played down the controversy, stating that any disagreements would be handled privately and respectfully, adding that he intended to sit down with Winnie “as a father and daughter” to chart a way forward.
Winnie’s remarks in Gatanga now appear aimed at closing the chapter on claims of division, as ODM seeks to project unity amid a shifting political landscape ahead of 2027.
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Winnie Odinga Breaks Silence on ODM Power Struggle With Oburu