By Peter John
Amid growing divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement following the death of Raila Odinga, Winnie Odinga has spoken out, urging the party to remain grounded in its values and responsive to the concerns of young people.
In a heartfelt statement, Winnie emphasized that the party must not ignore the suffering of Kenyans affected during past protests, commonly referred to as maandamano.
“I do not underplay the victims of the maandamano; we cannot overlook that reality. We cannot be a party that does not care about the struggles we have gone through,” she said.
Her remarks come at a time when ODM is grappling with internal disagreements, with factions emerging over the party’s future direction and its relationship with President William Ruto’s administration.
Winnie also placed strong emphasis on the need for reforms within the party to better accommodate young people, noting that many feel excluded despite being at the forefront of political mobilization.
“The new ODM systems must work for young people. Our young people are demanding their rightful space at the table, and I say this with the utmost humility: we must create space for them instead of only calling on them when we want them to shout,” she added.
Her comments are being interpreted as a call for introspection within ODM, particularly on how it engages youth and addresses past grievances, including those arising from protest crackdowns.
As internal debates continue, her voice adds to the growing chorus pushing for a redefined ODM—one that balances legacy, accountability, and the aspirations of a new generation.
