By Anderson Ojwang

Winnie Odinga may have gone through her late father, Raila Amolo Odinga’s, political mentorship and guidance over time.

Raila may have prepared to hand over the baton to his daughter at an appropriate time, but as fate would have it, he never had the luxury of witnessing such a transition.

The former Prime Minister could have mentored and exposed Winnie to his various local and global political networks, which will become handy in her political pursuit.

But currently, Winnie is caught in a fierce political battle over the soul of her father’s political party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

In the two divides are her uncle, now the party leader Dr Oburu Oginga-led faction of national chairperson Gladys Wanga, Director of Elections Junet Mohammed, deputy party leaders Simba Arati and Abdulsamad Nassir, against the ODM secretary Edwin Sifuna’s faction of Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino among others.

Winnie’s dilemma began immediately after the death of her father when she called for the appointment of a new team to manage the broad-based arrangement between ODM and President William Ruto.

The Broad-based dilemma

This was a direct affront on her uncle, Dr Oburu, which divided the Kawuor clan and the party right in the middle.

During the last November ODM celebrations in Mombasa, Winnie called for a National Delegates Conference (NDC) to choose a new team to manage the broad-based arrangement with President William Ruto.

“There is something I wanted to tell you. When it came to the matter of broad-based government, the people of ODM entrusted one person with the management of that relationship. That person was Baba Raila Amolo Odinga. That relationship is complicated and therefore we are looking and we are wondering, those who are taking upon themselves to manage it now, are they capable of managing that relationship? I don’t think that is the question for me to answer. That is the question for the people of ODM to answer. That is why, party leader, why I am requesting, we need to go back to the people and have an NDC to see who the people want to pick to manage that same relationship,” she said.

But Oburu responded by challenging those opposed to him to a political duel at the National Delegates Conference.

“Those who are saying that Oburu is not validly elected, I challenge them, if they say it is NDC, let us go with them to the NDC and I will call it very soon,” he said.

And Oburu was on Friday confirmed as the party leader of the ODM while his opponents held a parallel people’s national delegates conference.

Deputy party leader Dilemma

Winnie Odinga had strategically placed herself to be appointed as one of the deputy party leaders of the ODM.

Recently ODM Nairobi branch delegates endorsed Winnie for the position of deputy party leader, citing the need to fill a leadership gap in the capital.

The endorsement, backed by representatives from all 17 constituencies in the county, comes amid calls for equitable regional representation within the party’s top leadership.

Makadara MP George Aladwa said consultations over the past two months culminated in the decision to front Winnie.

“We have had several meetings in the last two months to look for a representative. Every region has representation in the party. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga left us with no representative in the Nairobi region,” Aladwa said.

Winnie said the Nairobi branch must have a seat at the SNDC on March 27th because of their contribution and that ODM was her home.

“ODM is our home. ODM is the party my father built. Why should I leave and go where? I will remain in ODM. In this journey it has not been easy. We still have a place to go and the party position should be considered for those people who have put their lives in the struggle. It is in Nairobi where we demonstrate and not the villages. There are no demos in the villages. You cannot deny Nairobi its right. Nairobi must have a seat. On the day, on March 27th, Nairobi will have our day and say,” she said.

But on Friday, sensing that the wish would not be granted, Winnie walked into the meeting late, broke protocol and when given a chance to speak said there was need for a new ODM.

She called for reconciliation among the dissenting voices in the party and said no member should be expelled.

But Sifuna declared that he could not be secretary general for Oburu, terming his team as mediocre.

She is now conflicted on whether to remain and fight for her father’s party from within or join the Linda Mwananchi group.

Babu recently told Winnie to join their team and be part of a revolution in the country.

Linda Mwananchi

Winnie stood with Sifuna when he was sacked by the party and wrote that it was not well. She attended the press conference by Sifuna and the team but did not speak.

Already, the team is gaining momentum and drawing organic crowds. It is just a matter of time before they unveil their political vehicle as ODM enters into a pre-election coalition with President Ruto.

As the politics gain momentum, Winnie will be forced to make the difficult decision on whether to stick with her uncle or join the youthful team.

By Anderson Ojwang

President William Ruto is having a field day in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in the current power game after the exit of the late Raila Amolo Odinga.

President Ruto in October during Raila’s burial said he will ensure that the party doesn’t slip into the hands of those opposed to the broad-based government.

The chess game in the ODM power matrix has left some as pawns in the game while others are fast becoming kings and monsters to President Ruto.

The script began immediately after the formation of the broad-based government arrangement, and it took a different trajectory with the death of Raila.

Raila was the stumbling block and blew hot and cold over the future coalition, even directing his members against propagating a two-term agenda.

Raila went ahead to ask his team, “Who told you ODM will not field a presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections?”

According to South MP Caroli Omondi, who was at the meeting, the late Raila only allowed Cabinet Secretary for Treasury John Mbadi and his Energy counterpart Opiyo Wandayi to champion Ruto’s two-term campaigns, while the MPs were restrained save for Alego MP Sam Atandi who had asked for exemptions.

“Raila told us not to say two-term. And if any MP wants to contradict that, let them try and we will tell them where they were told.”

The plot building

Raila’s death marked the beginning of the power game. While the Secretary General Edwin Sifuna was on board a flight to India to collect the body of Raila, back at home, a team was meeting to install Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga as the acting party leader, bypassing immediate former acting party leader Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o.

Omondi gave an insight into what could be happening in the party and the emergence of a mysterious hand pulling shots in the party.

“There was a very quick transition even before Baba’s body arrived. When Mzee Oburu announced that he had accepted to be the party leader, he said he did not even know that there was a process to make him party leader. What that implies is that that call came from somewhere else. And that worries me a lot. This is because it therefore seems that ODM is getting directions and controls from somewhere else,” he said.

The plot thickens at ODM at 20 celebrations

Hardly 40 days of mourning Raila, ODM was in Mombasa to celebrate the 20 years, even after the protest by Raila’s family for postponement.

From Mombasa, ODM Linda Ground was birthed and embarked on a countrywide tour with a view to test ground ahead of pre-election coalition pact with UDA.

That marked the last public function of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and the unsuccessful attempt by Oburu to sack him.

The Linda Ground plot

The once cash-strapped ODM finally gained flamboyance and held its meetings in five-star and high-end hotels.

Sifuna revealed that the funds and resources being used in the ongoing Linda Ground engagement did not come from the party.

He said the party was owed over Sh12 billion by the government for the political party funds, which has negated its operations.

“The money and the resources you see being spent on the ODM rallies called Linda Ground, the monies do not come from ODM headquarters. For me, I can only account for the monies because I am a signatory to the bank accounts, Timothy Bosire is a signatory to the bank accounts. The last money we expended as ODM officially was for the celebration in Mombasa and it was a fraction of what you saw there,” he said.

Kisumu Women Representative Ruth Odinga wondered about the source of money flowing into the party.

“As a signatory to the ODM account, if he questions where all the money for choppers, big tents and ODM branded t-shirts and caps in the ‘Linda Ground’ conventions are coming from, why should anyone abuse him? Those with the answers, why can’t you provide them? Are governors funding the campaigns? Are MPs doing it from CDF kitty? Did we get a philanthropist that a Party SG is not aware of who is funding the clearly expensive public fora? And what is in it for the philanthropist?” she questioned.

Ida Odinga appointment and exit from the scene

The appointment of Raila’s widow, Mama Ida Odinga, was strategic and leaves a vacuum in the ongoing political re-organization.

After showing support for Sifuna and urging for dialogue, her continued stay in the political space would thaw any move in the power game.

Her appointment strategically leaves her out of the political space and her hands are tied by the appointment.

She takes over from ODM Secretary General Ababu Namwamba, who has moved to Uganda.

The Return of Ababu

At the ODM’s SDC, Ababu Namwamba reappears. Strategic reappearance. A key ally of President Ruto, a possible candidate for the Secretary General post.

In Ababu, President Ruto hopes he can finally have total control of the party should Ababu be made the Secretary General.

Winnie Odinga plot

She is the hard nut to crack. The only surviving soul of her political journey. Her journey to become one of the deputy party leaders has been frustrated.

Reason: her presence in all the ODM organs would stagnate the power game and she is capable of masterminding a coup.

The Nairobi branch has insisted that Winnie Odinga must be made one of the party’s deputy leaders against opposition from some quarters. This could be the fault line leading to a chaotic situation during the meeting.

Winnie said the Nairobi branch must have a seat at the NDC on March 27th because of their contribution and that ODM was her home.

“ODM is our home. ODM is the party my father built. Why should I leave and go where? I will remain in ODM. In this journey it has not been easy. We still have a place to go and the party position should be considered for those people who have put their lives in the struggle. It is in Nairobi where we demonstrate and not the villages. There are no demos in the villages. You cannot deny Nairobi its right. Nairobi must have a seat. On the day, on March 27th, Nairobi will have our day and say,” she said.

The Monster in the waiting

President Ruto has successfully succeeded in achieving his mission in controlling the ODM but has also created a political monster.

The Linda Mwananchi faction of the party has the soul of Raila and enjoys organic support. It is a tsunami in the making and will not rely on the party to champion its agenda.

If anything, the train has left the station and it is just a matter of time before ODM is relegated to the periphery as Ruto fights the monster.

By Anderson Ojwang

The absence of Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, the founder secretary general and former acting party leader, at the ODM special delegates conference (SDC) was so telling and sent mixed signals.

If anything, the absence of Nyong’o left the party leader Dr Oburu Oginga a lonely person after Siaya Governor James Orengo led the Linda Mwananchi faction opposed to pre-election coalition arrangement with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Nyong’o’s presence would have validated the SDC, the new office, and his absence has left more questions than answers within the ranks and file in the party and nationally.

Instead Nyong’o presided over the unveiling of the Chun Jeong–Eun–Nyong’o Cancer Centre at Victoria Annex Hospital, Milimani.

He wrote on his social media handles: “The journey of 1000 miles starts with one step, and we took that bold step today with the desire to transform healthcare in Kisumu by unveiling the Chun Jeong–Eun–Nyong’o Cancer Centre at Victoria Annex Hospital, Milimani.

I had the honor of presiding over this historic occasion alongside Mr. Peter Chun, Chairman and President of the World Smart Cities Forum, and Mama Kisumu, Dorothy Nyong’o – Managing Trustee of the African Cancer Foundation, in the company of other distinguished guests.

For far too long, cancer has placed a heavy burden on our families and communities. Today, we begin to rewrite that story. This Centre is more than a facility. It is a bold symbol of hope, reaffirming our commitment to confront cancer with courage, innovation, and compassion for all.

Through our partnership with Mr. Peter Chun, the National Government and other partners, we are turning vision into reality by establishing two centres: a public facility at JOOTRH to ensure universal access and this advanced centre to position Kisumu as a regional hub for specialized cancer care.

Also present were County Secretary Hesbon Hongo, CECMs Dr. Greg Ganda (Public Health), George Okong’o (Finance), Judith Oluoch (Environment), City Manager Abala Wanga, County Attorney Otieno Aluoka and other distinguished leaders.”

It is Nyong’o who headhunted the embattled Secretary General Edwin Sifuna after then SG Ababu Namwamba resigned.
Sifuna, with other members of his faction, was at Ufungamano House holding the People’s National Delegates Conference, putting the Governor in a fix.

Sifuna declared that he could not be a secretary general to Dr Oburu and instead asked him to look for his own secretary general.

“Oburu, look for your SG. I cannot be Oburu’s SG. I want to say this before God and the nation. I will not be the SG of mediocrity after serving Raila Amolo Odinga. You characters do not deserve me,” he said.

Nyong’o in his previous speeches explained how Sifuna rose to become the party secretary general.

He spotted Sifuna’s talents through his newspaper contributions and decided to tap his knowledge and potential for the ODM party.

Nyong’o decided to invite Sifuna for a lunch meeting to evaluate his competence and whether he fitted the bill.

Nyong’o was convinced and humbled in his first interaction, and that marked the beginning of a new secretary general for the party.

“Before I say much, I want to deal with a few matters arising from what has been spoken here. Are we together?

First, is the issue of Edwin Sifuna. I think none of you knows how Edwin Sifuna came into ODM.

Edwin used to write for the Standard Newspaper, very good articles. And after serving for 12 years as secretary general of ODM, I asked the party leader to allow me to concentrate on developing the research wing of the party and give the technocracy to another secretary general.

We tried a few people; it never worked. So one day, I said to myself, that young man, who writes so well in the Standard. Let me call him and have lunch with him at United Kenya Club. I met Sifuna and I was very impressed. So I went and talked to the party leader and he agreed to have him on board,” he said in a previous speech.

He said Sifuna never failed him and he has performed exemplary well as the spokesperson of the party.

“We read the interview Sifuna had at Kenya Times, where he made it very clear, being the secretary general and the spokesperson of the party, he clarified every issue and since then, we have not seen any writing about Sifuna in the newspaper at all,” he said.

Nyong’o defended Sifuna from his critics, saying he was professional in his work, and wondered about the contributions of his critics, then.

“Sasa wewe ni nani. Sasa wewe unaanza leo kupinga Sifuna wewe ni nani? (Who are you who have started to criticize Sifuna? Who are you?) We in the party sought Sifuna from his professional work to bring him into the party.

He has been doing an excellent job since then. Let us support him, we in the party and the people, let us support him.

The guy is built for the future. You know what I mean. Ukiangalia mbele, utaona Sifuna. If you don’t know what I am saying, go home and think,” he said then.

In a twist of events, the ODM invited Ababu to the convention, with Oburu saying the party will not expel any member but will sack those officials disrupting the party’s unity.

By Anderson Ojwang

Two historic venues, Jamhuri Park and Ufangamano House, heralded a new post-Raila Amolo Odinga political dispensation in his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

The two factions in the ODM, Linda Ground of Dr Oburu Oginga and Linda Wananchi of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, made good their plans and held parallel NDCs, with various branches showing affiliation to the two camps.

At Ufangamano House, the high presence of police and armoured anti-riot vehicles—a trademark that became part and parcel of Raila’s and ODM’s political journey—returned. The police built camp outside the venue.

The die-hard Raila supporters did not fail the Sifuna-led team, as they forced their way into the venue, with Sifuna declaring that they should not fear the police and tear gas.

“We are in the footsteps of our leader Raila Odinga. What can we fear? That is why they sent the police to intimidate us. But we cannot be cowed and we are not cowards,” he said.

Siaya Governor James Orengo, who was accompanied by his Siaya County ODM branch chair, capped it by saying the soul of Raila was at Ufangamano House and dismissed the Jamhuri meeting as illegal and unconstitutional.

“The soul of Raila Amolo Odinga is here. We are the children of Raila Odinga. We are reformists and fighters. We are winners. Those are opportunists,” Orengo said.

Sifuna also declared that he cannot work with the party leader Dr Oburu, National Chairperson Gladys Wanga and Director of Elections Junet Mohammed.

At Jamhuri Park, the NDC confirmed Oburu, Kisii Governor Simba Arati and his Mombasa counterpart Abdulsamad Nassir as deputy party leaders, while Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga was ratified as the National Chairperson.

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi was kicked out as deputy party leader, while Sifuna’s post was left intact. Osotsi had earlier written that he would not attend but would instead be at the Linda Mwananchi meeting at Ufangamano.

He wrote, “We, the people, shall gather for the people’s NDC at Ufangamano House. Any other NDC gathering is illegitimate.”

The much-lobbied bid for Winnie Odinga to become deputy party leader failed to materialise, and she appealed to the party leadership not to expel anyone from the party.

Oburu told Winnie that the party would not expel anyone, but officials causing disunity would have to be sacked from their positions.

“I have heard what my daughter Winnie has said. We will not expel anyone, but those holding positions in the party who are causing disunity will have to be sacked. You cannot come out to criticise the resolution of the majority and want to lean on your tribe to support your agenda. The minority will have their say, but the majority their way. That is democracy,” he said.

Oburu said he would not wish to witness the party follow the path it took at its formation, following the battle over leadership between ODM-K under Raila and Kalonzo Musyoka.

Oburu said the party will form a technical team to negotiate with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) over pre-election coalition arrangements.

“My brother left us in a broad-based government. I have been mandated to embark on negotiations. I will form a technical team to negotiate with UDA,” he said.

But Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said their objective was to ensure President Ruto was defeated in the 2027 general elections and that they would not enter or recognise any pre-election coalition engagement.

“We know President Ruto sponsored the Oburu NDC and they have fallen into his trap. We know what Raila wanted, and we cannot betray his soul and legacy in death,” he said.

Junet said ODM will not negotiate with UDA in areas considered its strongholds, adding that zoning was the first condition.

“We will not allow UDA to field candidates in zones where ODM has governors, MPs, MCAs and other elected leaders. That is non-negotiable,” he said.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi said Oburu had presided over the death of his younger brother Raila’s legacy.

He wrote on social media, “Oburu’s team, you are messing up Raila’s legacy. Take a rest, alone, and think about when you visited your brother in prison.”

Linda Mwananchi, after “stealing” Raila’s soul, now moves to Mombasa this weekend, while Linda Ground embarks on boardroom negotiations with President Ruto.

For Oburu, history may have caught up with him in just five months—presiding over the first sacking in Raila’s party and witnessing the disintegration of his brother’s political outfit.

Just like the battle between Raila, a former Vice President, and the late Wamalwa Kijana over control of Ford-K, Oburu has stoked a similar flame, pitting him against Sifuna.

It may only be a matter of time before Oburu carries the “head” to Kango ka Jaramogi, while Sifuna flies with the “soul” to the land of prophet Elijah Masinde, just as Wamalwa once did.