The late former prime minister Raila Odinga’s daughter and East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP, Winnie Odinga, has declared the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as her “home”, following a formal endorsement by Nairobi delegates for the position of Deputy Party Leader.
Speaking during a consultative meeting of ODM delegates drawn from Nairobi’s 17 constituencies on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation, Winnie said her roots in the party run deep, tracing back to her family legacy.
She noted that the Orange party is a house that was constructed by her late father and that she would not leave it.
“Hii chama ni nyumba yetu. Ni nyumba ambayo babangu alijenga. Mimi, Winnie Odinga, natoka hapa nikienda wapi?” she asked.
She recounted her long-standing commitment to the party, noting her active participation in rallies, demonstrations, and political campaigns since 2007.
“Tumetoka 2007; tumezurura, tumeenda rallies, tumeenda maandamano, tumeenda kila pahali… Watu wa Nairobi wamekuwa wakienda maandamano; hakuna maandamano ushago, imekuwa hapa hapa Nairobi,” she said, praising Nairobi delegates for their role in shaping party leadership.
She emphasised that party positions should prioritise those who have consistently put their lives on the line for the party’s cause.
“When it comes to party positions, those that have put their lives on the line should be the first people to be considered. Kwa hivo, we will go there. Nairobi must have a seat at the table,” Winnie stated.
Winnie Odinga’s endorsement
While endorsing Winnie for the ODM deputy party leader position, Makadara Member of Parliament (MP) George Aladwa said the city has long lacked a clear representative at the party’s upper decision-making levels, a gap leaders now want urgently addressed.
According to Aladwa, the region lacks a representative at the party’s top level since the death of its leader and founder, Raila Odinga.
“Tumekuwa na vikao mingi mingi hapa na pale kwa miezi kama mbili zilizopita, tukisema yakwamba tunataka kuwa na mwakilishi. Kwa sababu kila region Iko na mwakilishi wake kwa chama lakini region ya Nairobi Baba alituacha na hatuna mwakilishi,” said Aladwa.
The Makadara MP added that Nairobi leaders had unanimously resolved to front Winnie Odinga as their preferred candidate, describing her as capable of articulating the interests of the capital at the national party level.
According to the delegates, Winnie’s current role at the East African Legislative Assembly and her involvement in party activities make her well-suited to take up the influential position.
Aladwa further argued that Winnie is already a recognised delegate, including in Kibra, and expressed confidence that her elevation would consolidate Nairobi’s voice in party affairs.
“Ndio sisi kama constituencies 17 na county ya Nairobi tumepropose tukuwe na mbunge wetu wa EALA mheshimiwa Winnie Odinga atuwakilishe katika chama na akuwe one of the Deputy Party Leaders. Tumekuja kupropose na kuendorse Winnie kama kiongozi wetu. Nairobi tayari yeye ni delegate, Kibra ni delegate na sasa tunataka aende kule juu,” Aladwa said.
