What You Need to Know
Winnie Odinga, daughter of Raila Odinga, attended the ODM’s NDC, endorsing Oburu Odinga as party leader. She emphasized the need for youth leadership and job opportunities, while the opposing faction led by Babu Owino rejected Oburu’s leadership. The meeting highlighted the ongoing factional divide within ODM, with calls for unity and support for the youth.
Africa-Press – Kenya. EALA MP and former ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s daughter Winnie Odinga has made a surprise appearance at the ODM’s special NDC at Jamhuri Grounds. This is despite the Linda Wananchi camp, which she has been a part of, holding a parallel meeting at Ufungamano House.
In her speech Winnie went ahead and recognised Oburu Odinga as the party leader. She, however, steered clear of the faction politics and instead asked for creation of leadership space and jobs for the young people.
“Leo sikuja kuchoma,” she said, drawing laughter from the room.
“Congratulations my party leader, I recognise you. As they call you the youth leader, I hope you will open space for the young people,” she said.
Winnie also read messages of the youth seeking employment in her DM, saying their plight cannot be overlooked. “We cannot overlook maandamano and what it has achieved. We cannot overlook the suffering of the young people.”
The two ODM factions today held parallel meetings; one at Jamhuri grounds and the other at Ufungamano House. The Ufungamano faction led by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna declared that they will not recognise Oburu Odinga as its leader.
This is despite the Jamahuri faction declaring him as the party leader. “We will respect Oburu as our elder and not leader. Wewe ndugu yako amekufa na unamridhi hata kabla hajazikwa. That’s not the spirit of a true leader,” Babu said.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, who was ratified as the deputy party leader alongside Kisii Governor Simba Arati, pledged his loyalty towards Oburu.
Arati said he will help Oburu traverse the country to ensure its stability. “Together with Abdulswamad and Wanga, we will traverse the country and reach places where Oburu might not be able to reach,” he said.
The ODM has faced internal divisions, particularly between factions led by different leaders. This split reflects broader challenges within Kenyan politics, where party loyalty and leadership disputes often lead to parallel meetings and conflicting agendas. The emphasis on youth leadership is a response to the growing frustrations among young Kenyans regarding unemployment and political representation. As political dynamics evolve, the role of youth in shaping party direction becomes increasingly significant.
