By Anderson Ojwang
The chickens have finally come home to roost, while others have chickened out at the first anniversary of the Enigma, the late Raila Amolo Odinga.
Over the last year, following his death, intrigues and a cold war between his family and some senior officials of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have been playing out in silence, and the tensions have finally burst into the open.
More intriguing is the prominent role Siaya Governor James Orengo, a member of Linda Mwananchi and the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has been playing in the general organisation of the event, while ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga, once a close ally and confidante of Raila and Mama Ida Betty Odinga, has been edged to the periphery, with only a limited presence.
More interesting is the list of guests, with former President Uhuru Kenyatta as the chief guest of honour, despite his recent sparring with his successor, William Samoei Ruto.
Uhuru recently claimed that he believed Raila won the 2022 presidential election and supported his argument with the number of parliamentary and gubernatorial seats Azimio La Umoja secured in the last General Elections, as well as its decision to respect the Supreme Court verdict.
The Cold War
The cold war in the party started at ODM’s 20th anniversary celebrations in Mombasa, held from November 15 to 16, which the Raila family felt ignored their mourning period and engagement.
Sources told Western Insight that Mama Ida tried to seek a review of the date of the event to accommodate the family, but her request was ignored. They were concerned about the haste and why the nuclear family had been overlooked.
Similarly, the presence of Raila’s youngest daughter, Winnie Odinga, at the event was downplayed, and it took the intervention of her aunt and Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga to invite her to speak.
Mama Ida watched closely as events unfolded and plotted her family’s comeback in the party.
Winnie for Deputy Party Leader
Attempts by Winnie to enter the mainstream ODM party leadership were nipped in the bud, despite Nairobi County delegates proposing her name ahead of the ODM Special National Delegates Conference.
Although ODM Deputy Party Leader Abdulsamad Nassir said there was a possibility of Winnie being considered for one of the deputy party leader positions, National Chairperson Gladys Wanga held a different opinion.
He said a proposal had been made by the Nairobi branch and that the SNDC could consider it after the party leader, Dr Oburu Oginga, was ratified by delegates at the convention.
“A proposal can come in to make her deputy party leader and the proposal can be considered once our party leader has been ratified. It is something that can definitely be discussed. She has a future. I said this at Raila Odinga’s funeral,” he said.
However, Wanga said that Winnie qualified, but the SNDC had been convened for the purpose of ratifying the officials, and that an ordinary NDC would be held at the end of every fifth year.
Makadara MP George Aladwa said consultations over the previous two months had 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.
Broad-Based Coalition
Another front in the cold war was the management of the broad-based coalition, with Winnie expressing the view that the relationship was delicate and required new blood.
“There is something I wanted to tell you. When it came to the matter of the 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 the 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.
Sifuna’s Sacking
Mama Ida tried to intervene over the sacking of Sifuna, whom she called Raila’s son, and wondered why the children of the deceased should be made to suffer after his death. She was ignored, and Sifuna was eventually removed from the position of Secretary-General. He is currently riding high as one of the leading presidential contenders.
“It is my wish that we can preserve the party in his honour as a matter of service to our country. I want to appeal to those Baba left in the leadership of the party to reflect deeply and sincerely on his dreams for the party and for our country,” she said.
Wanga’s Possible Absence at Kang’o
Wanga could be absent from today’s first anniversary celebrations as the cold war enters a new phase. Hours before the anniversary, Wanga posted on her social media platform that she was in Dubai attending an event. That is a significant statement.
“Following an invitation by United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA), I joined global investors and policymakers at the RISE Summit 2026 in Dubai to position Homa Bay County as a competitive investment destination.
Our focus is on attracting strategic investment in smart urbanisation, green energy and digital infrastructure, including the Homa Bay Digital City and Riwa Special Economic Zone, through sustainable financing and strategic partnerships.
These conversations will continue in other international fora as we build partnerships that translate Homa Bay’s immense potential into tangible opportunities for our people,” she wrote.
Orengo’s Role
Orengo has been prominent in the organisation of the event, which could turn out to be more of an opposition gathering than a government event.
“At Kang’o ka Jaramogi, I joined Mama Ida and the Odinga family to light candles marking one year since Jakom left us, reminding us that the enduring light of democracy, justice, and freedom he ignited across Kenya can never be extinguished,” he wrote.
The Secretariat
Mama Ida, after her return from Nigeria, took over the programme, pushing to the periphery the earlier announcement by the ODM National Executive Committee (NEC).
Sources told the writer that Mama Ida was enraged by the party’s decision to ignore the family’s plans and proceeded to organise the event without engaging the family.
Do Not Bite the Hand That Fed You
Most of the current ODM governors, legislators and senators occupy their seats courtesy of Ida. Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati said it was through Ida that he obtained his certificate.
Mama Ida is back in the party, and heads may soon roll as Winnie may finally find her way into the party leadership.
A new chapter in ODM could be about to unfold.
