Winnie Odinga alleges plot to ‘sell’ ODM

Winnie Odinga, Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and daughter of the late ODM stalwart Raila Odinga, has issued a dramatic warning: key figures within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) may be plotting to “sell” the party.

Her remarks came during the ODM’s 20th-anniversary gathering held in Mombasa, where supporters and leaders converged to celebrate two decades of the party’s activism and legacy. But rather than limiting her speech to the triumphs of the past, Winnie used the platform to call out what she called clandestine manoeuvres by internal actors.

> “I have heard there are those who walk with us during the day … but at night are hatching plans to sell our party,” she said.
“ODM was not born in a boardroom … its future will not be discussed as pillow talk.”



According to Winnie, the plot involves secret meetings held by individuals who publicly appear aligned with ODM but are privately weaving a different agenda.  She did not name these people, but she painted a picture of deep concern over the direction the party might take — especially with the 2027 general election looming.


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Underlying Tensions in ODM

Winnie framed her allegations within a broader context of internal party tension. She argued that some members are torn between cooperating with Kenya’s ruling coalition and preserving ODM’s independence.

Siaya Governor James Orengo, also speaking at the anniversary event, echoed this worry. He criticized ODM members engaging with President William Ruto’s government, calling some of them “cowards” and warning that alignment with the ruling side could dilute the party’s identity.  Orengo went further: “It is Ruto who needs ODM; it’s not ODM that needs Ruto,” he said, signaling that ODM must not surrender its voice for political convenience.


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Party Leaders Respond

There were immediate reactions within ODM. Hassan Joho, the Cabinet Secretary for Mining and a former ODM deputy leader, urged for discipline in how the party communicates, calling for statements to come from legitimate party organs only.

Meanwhile, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna emphasized that the party remains strong and capable of fielding its own presidential candidate in 2027. He warned against “blind support” for the government, signaling that ODM should not compromise its core mission and values.


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Winnie’s Call to the Youth

Speaking directly to the younger generation within ODM, Winnie Odinga urged them to stay alert and engaged, not to be swayed by backdoor deals. She invoked the origins of the party — born out of protest, resistance, and sacrifice — and insisted that its future must remain rooted in those principles.


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What This Means Going Forward

Winnie’s bold claims have sparked alarm among party faithful. If genuine, the alleged sales plot could mark one of the most consequential internal power struggles in ODM’s history — coming just weeks after Raila Odinga’s passing.

At stake is not just leadership, but the identity and soul of the party: Will ODM maintain its resistance roots, or shift toward political pragmatism? The next few months will likely determine whether these divisions deepen or are resolved as the party charts its path to the 2027 elections.


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Bottom Line:
Winnie Odinga’s warning — that some are scheming to “sell” ODM in secret — has laid bare a fissure in the party, as it grapples with its future direction and legacy. With key leaders pushing for both unity and independence, ODM’s next moves will be closely watched by supporters and rivals alike.

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