By Anderson Ojwang
In what can be said as a political realignment after the death of the enigma Raila Odinga, his last-born, Winnie Mandela Odinga, told President William Ruto that she was ready to come back home.
Winnie, who is a member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), told mourners that in Bondo, there still lives a lion.
“I have heard people talk badly about Bondo. I want to say here, we have a lion here. I am the lion. Do not be worried. For President Ruto, I am ready to come back home,” she said as Ruto smiled and consulted with his aides.
Winnie has been the cornerstone of Raila’s political journey after the death of his son, Fidel Odinga, and she has been significant in his presidential campaigns.
Raila, before his death, had entered into a political alliance that birthed the broad-based government after the 2024 Gen Z anti–Finance Bill protest.
Ruto and Raila recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that gave a framework for a broad-based government, which brought together UDA and ODM.
Raila was recently replaced as the party leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) by his elder brother, Siaya Senator Dr Oburu Oginga, as the acting party leader.
Already, jostling for the leadership of Nyanza has begun in earnest, with various leaders expressing interest.
Viewed as potential heirs apparent are former Cabinet Minister Raphael Tuju, Winnie Odinga, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Cabinet Secretary for Treasury and Economic Planning Mr John Mbadi, his Energy counterpart Opiyo Wandayi, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Permanent Secretary for Internal Security Dr Raymond Omollo, and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, among others.
With Raila’s death and a power vacuum emerging in the leadership of Nyanza, the battle for the region is likely to mirror the post–Jaramogi Oginga Odinga succession.
The post-Odinga succession battle pitted the current Siaya Governor James Orengo and his Kisumu counterpart Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o against Raila.
Raila emerged the winner, and the two later became his close political confidants until his death.
Nyong’o became the acting ODM party leader when Raila was contesting for the AU Chairperson seat, which he lost.
