By James Okoth
When Winnie Odinga rose to speak during her father’s funeral in Bondo, at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Grounds, the air grew still. Before uttering a word, she turned respectfully to an elder and requested, “Ajiki kodhyamo,” for a chant.
It was a small but deeply symbolic gesture — one that her late father, Raila Amolo Odinga, was known for. He, too, often began his addresses in moments of grief or political tension by inviting an elder to lead the traditional chant before speaking. That single act, repeated now by his daughter, was more than cultural reverence. It was a bridge between generations — between the legend and his possible successor.
And when she finally spoke, her words were calm, deliberate, and heavy with meaning, “I am ready to come back home.”
The crowd erupted in thunderous applause. It was not a political speech, yet it carried the unmistakable tone of one. In that brief declaration, Winnie Odinga hinted at a homecoming not just of place, but of purpose.
Winnie’s public demeanour — steady voice, cultural grounding, and emotional control — bore the same traits that defined her father’s political presence. In that moment, Kenyans saw shades of Raila: his composure, his symbolism, his command of an audience.
For years, she stood quietly beside him — his aide, strategist, and confidante. As a Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), she has earned legislative experience and diplomatic insight. But to many, it was in Bondo that Winnie Odinga truly arrived — stepping from the wings onto the centre stage of Kenya’s political theatre.
Could She Be the One?
The question now reverberating from Bondo to Nairobi is simple: could Winnie Odinga be the one to carry the Odinga torch forward?
She possesses rare political seasoning for her age — having been embedded in the nerve centre of Raila’s campaigns and crisis meetings. She understands strategy, media, and the pulse of the youth. In an era where politics demands digital fluency and social awareness, she could easily rebrand the Odinga story for a new generation.
Yet, the path before her is steep. Kenya’s politics is notoriously unforgiving to women, and even more so to those viewed through the lens of legacy. While the Odinga name remains powerful, it also invites scrutiny. She will have to prove she’s not merely her father’s daughter, but a leader with her own fire, her own voice, and her own agenda.
Her declaration — “I am ready to come back home” — can be read in many ways. To her family, it was emotional closure. To her father’s supporters, it was a call to continuity. And to political observers, it sounded like the first drumbeat of a generational shift.
The ODM movement, long anchored by Raila’s charisma, is now facing a vacuum. It needs a new centre — someone capable of balancing memory with modernity, culture with courage. Winnie could be that bridge if she plays her cards right: young, articulate, emotionally connected to the Odinga story, yet bold enough to chart her own course.
But she will have to walk a tightrope. Kenya has grown cautious of dynastic politics, and any hint of entitlement could turn potential goodwill into resistance. To win credibility, Winnie must not inherit Raila’s seat — she must earn her own.
At Bondo, amid chants and tears, Winnie Odinga did not just eulogise her father — she reawakened a movement. Her poise, her symbolism, and her words hinted at both continuity and renewal.
Her father’s shadow is long, but the fire that lit his journey now flickers in her. Whether it grows into a steady flame or fades into nostalgia will depend on what she does next — how she turns emotion into action, and legacy into leadership.
For now, Kenya watches.
Because in Bondo, it felt as though the Odinga story began again.
