East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga has raised concerns over the manner in which the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) handled its leadership transition following the death of longtime party leader Raila Odinga, accusing sections of the party of sidelining members, disregarding the party constitution, and making critical decisions without broad consultation.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s The Explainer on Tuesday night, Winnie said ODM failed to formally communicate with its membership during a sensitive period, instead allowing what she described as a small group of individuals to make far-reaching decisions behind closed doors.
“The party has not fulfilled its mandate in an open manner. Our party leader died, the party has not once come and addressed us as members to inform us our party leader has died. They’ve picked a new team; the party has not once come to tell us they’ve picked a new team,” she said.
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Winnie questioned the procedure through which Dr. Oburu Oginga, Raila Odinga’s brother, was installed as acting party leader, arguing that the process did not adhere to the ODM Constitution.
“The decision of procedure is not up to Winnie Odinga, it’s written in the ODM Constitution. And I don’t want this to be personalised on the matter of my uncle (Oburu) as though this is a private matter that is being discussed in public,” she said.
She added that her concerns were institutional rather than personal, insisting that party officials had acted in a manner that was inconsistent with both the party’s constitution and the principles upheld by the late Raila Odinga.
“The matter is people misrepresenting themselves and moving in a manner that I feel is not respectful to the creeds of the party. I don’t believe they’ve acted in a manner that was respectful to the wishes and creed of the former party leader,” she stated.
Winnie further argued that ODM’s key organs, including the National Executive Council (NEC) and the Central Committee, lack the authority to act on behalf of the party without ratification by the National Delegates Convention (NDC).
“The Constitution of ODM says that no member of the Central Committee or the NEC is able to act on behalf of the party of ODM unless they’re ratified by the NDC,” she said, adding that some office holders were “misrepresenting themselves” at a time when members required clear direction.
She also criticised party leaders for convening a National Governing Council (NGC) meeting and initiating talks with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) during the mourning period, describing the move as insensitive and procedurally flawed.
“They forced a celebration during a mourning period. They went and did an NGC and misrepresented that they’re the ones in charge, knowing very well that they’re not in charge until an NDC happens,” Winnie said.
According to her, the initiation of talks with UDA without proper internal approval demonstrated a lack of good faith and unwillingness to accommodate dissenting voices within the party.
Her remarks come amid reports of growing divisions within ODM, with a faction of younger leaders pushing for an urgent NDC to chart the party’s future, while another group, associated with Dr. Oburu, is said to favour coalition talks with President William Ruto’s UDA ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Despite her criticism of the process, Winnie expressed support for Dr. Oburu’s role during the transition period, emphasising that her position should not be interpreted as a personal or family dispute.
“I think Dr. Oburu is a wonderful acting party leader in this transition period. We were all caught in a shock and he’s steadying the ship,” she said.
She dismissed claims of a family power struggle, stating that her intervention was aimed at safeguarding the party’s values and protecting its leadership from being undermined by unconstitutional actions.
“What some may see as perhaps antagonism, is actually protection,” Winnie said.
Winnie maintained that her push for adherence to the ODM Constitution is intended to preserve the party’s integrity and ensure that its future is determined through lawful and inclusive processes.