ODM Dismisses Division Claims, Reaffirms Unity Under Oburu Oginga
News Updated: 14 December 2025 11:16 EAT
Winnie Odinga
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) politician and East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga has refuted allegations of infighting within the party, stating that internal competition and disagreement are typical for a large political entity and should not be mistaken for signs of its impending downfall.
Addressing the current high level of political maneuvering within the ODM as leaders vie for position ahead of the 2027 elections, Winnie stated that the party remains unified under its new leader, Oburu Oginga. Her focus, she explained, is on expanding the party's national presence rather than dealing with non-existent divisions.
She stressed that a political party’s goal is to gain maximum power, asserting that "The purpose of a political party is to capture all power, and I believe ODM must field a candidate everywhere.” She added, “That is the point of a political party and a democracy. Not everybody will think the same, people are going to compete and ODM needs to be competitive, and we are.”
Winnie's comments come amid media speculation that disagreements among key party figures might indicate emerging fractures within the country’s main opposition group. However, she maintained that diverse opinions are natural and should be viewed as an asset for a party boasting a massive following.
She emphasized her unwavering support and political allegiance to the ODM leader, referring to Oburu Oginga not just as the party head but also as a fundamental figure in her personal life. “The party leader (Oburu Oginga) is my uncle, I love him, he is the only father I have left,” Winnie stated. She continued, “There’s no day I will be in a faction, and he is not there. He is the head of my family, and I am always with him, and that is the faction I belong to, if there is.”
Winnie dismissed suggestions of ODM splitting, cautioning both supporters and critics against drawing hasty conclusions from internal political competition and debates. She confirmed the party's stability, noting, “But the party is okay.” She reiterated that “A party with over eight million registered voters—we are going to have disagreements, but that should not mean people get excited that ODM is falling apart.”
She credited the resilience of the political movement to her late father, Raila Odinga, and the former long-serving party leader. She claimed he built a strong foundation capable of withstanding internal contestation without losing its core principles. "Baba alijenga hii nyumba, and nobody is leaving,” Winnie said, adding, “He taught us what to do. The only ones who leave are those who have a problem with what he taught us.”
Tags: EALA Oburu Odinga ODM Raila Odinga Winnie Odinga Editor's Pick
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