Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has launched a fresh criticism at ODM leaders, accusing unnamed officials of positioning themselves to exploit her brother's death for political relevance.
Ruth is the younger sister of former ODM party leader Raila Odinga (deceased).
The former Prime Minister died on October 15 last year while undergoing treatment in India.
In a hard-hitting Facebook post, Ruth claimed some ODM leaders are on the loose trying to capitalise on the upcoming anniversary to milk political relevance.
She described the leaders as “vultures” circling around Raila's legacy and warned them against turning the commemorative occasion into a political platform for individual ambitions.
Ruth urged those she accused of seeking to capitalise on the anniversary to drop their plans, saying her brother was an enigma.
“We are heading for October 15 and already vultures of ODM cups and tents are now planning… Raila was an enigma. Wacheni upuzi (stop the nonsense),” Ruth said.
Her remarks came just hours after the ODM party announced a month-long programme of activities to commemorate the first anniversary of Raila's death.
ODM said the programme, dubbed “Mwezi wa Baba”, will begin on October 2 with a nationwide candle-lighting ceremony in memory of Raila.
“Kenyans will be requested to light candles wherever they are, either in organised groups or individually, in remembrance of Baba,” the party said in a press statement.
The candle-lighting ceremony will take place at 6pm across the country, according to the party.
Ruth's latest remarks deepen her increasingly public differences with the party leadership since Raila's demise.
Raila led ODM for more than two decades and remained its dominant figure until his death.
Since then, Ruth has repeatedly questioned the direction of the party and the manner in which its affairs have been handled.
In one of her public interventions, she warned that ODM belongs to all its members and not to “a few individuals who think they own the party”.
She has also openly differed with senior party officials after questioning what she termed as “big money” in the party that she noted was dividing the outfit.
“Are governors funding the campaigns? Are MPs using CDF resources? Or is there a philanthropist funding expensive political mobilisation without the knowledge of the party secretary general?” she posed in February this year.
“And if such a philanthropist exists, what is in it for them?”
According to ODM’s anniversary plans, a major memorial rally is scheduled in Kakamega town on October 9, bringing together supporters from counties in the Western region.
The party listed Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia among the counties expected to participate in the event.
From October 10 to 15, the party said Raila’s family would lead a series of memorial activities that will culminate in the main memorial service at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo.
The programme will then move to Northern Kenya, where ODM plans to hold a memorial rally in Garissa town on October 17.
The Garissa event will bring together ODM members and supporters from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo and Marsabit counties.
The party has also scheduled memorial activities at the Coast on October 18 and 19 before the country marks Mashujaa Day on October 20.
ODM will hold further memorial activities in Kajiado county on October 21, followed by events in Turkana county between October 23 and 25.
The month-long programme will conclude with a major memorial rally in Nairobi on October 31.
ODM said the activities were intended to recognise Raila’s “tireless contribution to our country's democracy and his Pan-Africanism”.
The party also urged its supporters to use the commemoration period to reflect on and uphold the principles associated with the former Prime Minister.
“We urge all our supporters to rededicate their commitment to Baba's ideals,” ODM said.
Raila, who was a central figure in Kenya’s opposition politics for decades, founded ODM and remains one of its most influential figures.
