Ruth Odinga, sister to the late Raila Amolo Odinga, has issued a stern warning to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members against emerging internal divisions, urging the party to remain united as her brother had wished before his passing.
Speaking during the burial ceremony of Raila Odinga at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, on Sunday, October 19, 2025, Ruth called out certain party members whom she accused of attempting to seize control of ODM for personal gain.
“What you said about our party must remain,” Ruth recalled, quoting her late brother. “You told me the day before you passed away that we must be united. ODM must be united, and if it is not strong, we will not achieve what we stand for.”
Ruth’s Message to ODM Members
Ruth insisted that ODM, the political movement that Raila founded and nurtured for over two decades, belongs to all its members — not a select few. “ODM must unite. We cannot have one ODM here and another led by someone who thinks they own the party. ODM belongs to all of us. Some of those who want to take over the party don’t know how we started it,” she stated emphatically.
Her comments came amid renewed power struggles within ODM, with various leaders positioning themselves to fill the leadership vacuum left by Raila’s death. Despite these internal tensions, Ruth maintained that ODM must “go into any negotiation table with one united ODM,” stressing that her brother’s dying wish was to see the party preserved as a cohesive and disciplined force.
Rift Over Raila’s Deal With Government
Cracks had already begun to show within ODM even before Raila’s death, following the March 2025 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ODM and President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government. Some party members viewed the cooperation as a betrayal of opposition ideals, while others considered it a strategic step toward national unity.
Ruth’s remarks underscored the growing tension over the party’s direction and the need to honour Raila’s reformist legacy through unity and dialogue rather than confrontation.
Winnie Odinga’s Signal for Cooperation
Interestingly, Ruth’s warning followed remarks by Winnie Odinga, Raila’s daughter and East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP, who hinted at a willingness to work with the Ruto administration. In a brief but symbolic statement, Winnie said she was ready to “return home” and continue her father’s legacy by fostering collaboration between ODM and the government.
Her statement added a new dimension to ODM’s evolving internal politics, suggesting a possible generational shift in strategy.
As the party navigates the post-Raila era, voices like Ruth’s serve as a reminder that unity, inclusivity, and loyalty to ODM’s founding ideals will determine whether the movement survives its greatest transition yet.
