The feud between the family of Raila Odinga and powerful ODM figures is escalating ahead of the 2027 general election.
At the centre of the boiling hostilities are Raila’s widow, Ida Odinga, and daughter Winnie, whose recent political moves have rattled senior ODM politicians who are allied to President William Ruto.
Sources within ODM circles have revealed that the leaders have vowed to open direct salvos at the Raila family over what they term ‘betrayal of their respect’ and an indication of their soft support for the opposition.
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed led the barrage of attacks directed at the family.
“The love we had for Raila cannot be transferred to anybody else unless you convince us that you are also fit for that love and the respect we gave Raila,” Treasury CS John Mbadi said.
“If we respect you, use that respect well. In Luo land today, if someone is lying to you that you can remove some Luos from Ruto and take them elsewhere; you are wasting your time,” he added.
The simmering differences exploded into the open following Raila’s first death anniversary on October 15, with ODM heavyweights openly questioning the family’s political loyalties.
The leaders are particularly uncomfortable with indications that some members of the Odinga family could back the opposition in the 2027 general election, potentially complicating Ruto’s efforts to consolidate Luo Nyanza votes.
Ida's decision to invite former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Edwin Sifuna and other opposition leaders to the anniversary celebrations in Bondo has particularly angered the pro-government wing of ODM.
“Jana niliona list ya wale walioalikwa na Mama Ida Odinga, nikaona mtu anaitwa Gachagua. Nikasema, siwezi kukaa mahali pamoja na Gachagua (I saw the list of those invited and there was Gachagua. I can't share a podium with Gachagua),” National Assembly Minority leader Junet Mohamed said.
Winnie's declaration that she will contest the Nairobi Senate seat, amid indications she could align herself with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's political outfit, has further fuelled the tensions.
“I have seen that there is a visitor here from Nairobi; his name is Sifuna,” Winnie said.
“Let it not be a rumour that as Edwin Sifuna searches for higher offices, I see there is a space. That is why I will stand for the senator of Nairobi.”
However, Ida, in a statement on Saturday, defended her decision to invite the opposition figures, saying Raila had built bridges across the political divide.
“Throughout his life, Raila built friendships, encountered disagreements and found reconciliation with people across the political divide. Our invitations to the memorial reflected that lifetime of relationships,” she said.
But Junet maintained that even Raila's spirit could not share the same space with the former Deputy President.
In an apparent reference to the Raila family, Mbadi appeared to be challenging the family to declare their political stance.
“In politics, there is no sitting on the fence. Don’t sit on the fence. If you are Wantam, tell us you are Wantam. If you are Tutam, tell us,” he said.
Mbadi insisted that the region's loyalty to Raila should not be mistaken for automatic allegiance to his family or any other political figure.
“Don't force us. Don't push us. After next year, you will see a different kind of politics in this region that you have never seen before.”
Outspoken Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai dismissed Ida as a ‘pretender.’
The confrontation comes after the Bondo memorial exposed deepening divisions between ODM pro-government and the opposition-aligned Linda Mwananchi camp.
Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, Kisii Governor Simba Arati and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo were among the prominent ODM figures who attended the event.
“We know this game well,” Arati said before reading a speech prepared by ODM leader Oburu Oginga, who is hospitalised.
Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo represented the rival political camp.
However, Ida has pushed back against the political attacks, defending her decision to invite leaders from across the political divide.
In a strongly worded statement on Saturday, she said the invitations reflected her husband's longstanding friendships and political relationships.
“Every guest we invited was welcome. The Odinga family has no quarrel with any of them.”
Ida also thanked Ruto for supporting the family, particularly in the construction and completion of Raila's mausoleum.
She condemned the heckling and intimidation witnessed during the memorial, warning politicians against turning her husband's resting place into a political battleground.
“Neither should our family's grief be turned into an occasion for settling political scores,” she said.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The escalating feud exposes deep political divisions between Raila Odinga’s family and ODM heavyweights over the party’s future and President William Ruto’s re-election bid. While pro-government leaders seek to consolidate Luo Nyanza behind Ruto, the Odinga family’s apparent openness to opposition figures threatens that strategy. The confrontation could fracture Raila’s traditional support base, complicate ODM’s political realignment and trigger a fierce battle for control of his political legacy.
