ODM cautious as Winnie rattles party over "rushed" UDA deal

Winnie Odinga/FILE

ODM leaders have responded cautiously to claims by Raila Odinga’s daughter, Winnie, that the party is being run irregularly and that talks with President William Ruto’s UDA are being rushed.

Several ODM MPs who spoke to the Star said they were wary of antagonising the family of the party’s long-time leader.

Some privately admitted that crossing the Odinga family could come at a political cost.

“Winnie is the daughter of our former party leader. I respect Winnie and Raila’s family. I don’t want to antagonise them. I respect her opinion,” a second-term ODM MP from Nyanza said.

However, he dismissed her claims that the installation of Oburu Oginga and other party officials were irregular.

The apparent divisions within the wider Jaramogi Odinga family have become an emotive issue in the party.

The tensions played out publicly in Kisumu last Saturday when Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo was booed by a section of the crowd.

Millie faced hostility after saying she respects Oburu, but equally accords respect to Winnie and Raila’s wife, Ida Odinga.

On Tuesday evening, January 27, Winnie openly criticised the state of affairs in ODM.

She questioned both the legitimacy of the party’s leadership and the manner in which talks with UDA have been initiated.

According to Winnie, substantive top party positions can only be conferred by the National Delegates Conference.

Winnie’s position mirrors that of her aunt, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga.

Ruth has on several occasions faulted the party over what she describes as premature coalition talks. She has also claimed the Orange party has suddenly become flush with suspicious amounts of cash.

With Oburu now serving as ODM party leader following Raila’s death, the sharp differences have placed the spotlight firmly on the family.

Winnie took issue with her uncle’s appointment, arguing that the process did not follow the party constitution.

She also raised concern over what she described as harassment and intimidation of youthful leaders who hold dissenting views.

She further criticised what she termed “rushed” coalition negotiations with President Ruto’s UDA, saying they were being conducted without adequate consultation.

According to Winnie, coalitions are usually cobbled together about three months to an election.

“They have gone further to begin talks with UDA. They are not following the procedure, which to me shows a lack of good faith, goodwill and unwillingness to listen to dissenting voices,” Winnie said during an interview with a local television station.

She accused some party officials of misrepresenting themselves and acting in ways that undermine ODM’s founding principles.

“The issue is people misrepresenting themselves and moving in a manner that I feel is not respectful to the creeds of the party,” she said.

Winnie added that the actions taken so far were not in line with the wishes of the former party leader or the party constitution.

“I don’t believe they have acted in a manner that was respectful to the wishes and creed of the former party leader. I also know for a fact that they are not being respectful to the constitution of ODM,” she said.

According to Winnie, key party organs such as the National Executive Council and the Central Committee cannot lawfully act on behalf of the party without ratification by the National Delegates Convention.

She said she and other youthful leaders are demanding that the convention be convened urgently.

ODM Nairobi branch chairman and Makadara MP George Aladwa said Winnie’s remarks should be viewed as an attempt to strengthen the party rather than weaken it.

“Winnie is right. As a party, we need to listen to her. In fact, I am recommending that Winnie be picked as deputy party leader so that she can sit in the Central Management Committee to represent Nairobi,” Aladwa said.

However, Aladwa differed with Winnie on the legality of Oburu's appointment and the timing of the coalition talks with UDA.

“The Central Management Committee picked Oburu, and that appointment was ratified by the National Governing Council in Mombasa. That is a constitutional process, and it was followed,” he said.

On the proposed ODM-UDA talks, Aladwa argued that early engagement was strategic.

“This is the right time. The country is already in a political mood. If you delay such talks, other parties will start negotiations and we will be left behind,” he said.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, however, strongly backed Winnie’s assertions, saying ODM should not rush into coalition talks but instead prepare to field its own presidential candidate in 2027.

“People are being harassed in ODM. That is a fact. We are being intimidated, but we will not surrender,” Babu said.

He called for an urgent NDC to allow members to take control of the party’s direction.

“We want the NDC called so that we can take over the management of the party. Everything the way Winnie said it is true,” he added.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

The unfolding debate highlights a growing rift within ODM, with younger leaders—among them Winnie—pushing for internal reforms and an immediate NDC, while another faction allied to Dr Oburu Oginga is said to favour early coalition talks with President Ruto’s UDA ahead of the 2027 General Election. Observers say the push and pull among the members could disintegrate the mammoth party.