By Bonface Mulyungi

Raila Odinga Junior has called on political leaders to show respect to the family of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, warning against emerging factional disputes within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Odinga Junior said the party was facing internal tensions just months after Raila’s passing, urging leaders to exercise maturity and restraint.

Speaking during a public engagement at Jacaranda Grounds, he said he had personally communicated expectations to family members and political allies regarding respect for the Odinga family in public and political spaces.

“People are talking about ODM and its factions. I know ODM belonged to Raila, and as his member of the family, I will speak. We have our uncle Oburu. Six months after his demise, the party are having wrangles. We must be mature in our politics. It does not matter if you have leadership elsewhere; you have cars and everything. Respect is not weakness,” he said.

“I spoke to my uncle and told him that beginning today, if you are an MP, PS, MCA, among others, Raila’s family should be respected. Do your work respectfully. Respect Raila’s family.”

Odinga Junior also dismissed speculation about his political alignment within ODM factions, insisting he remained aware of discussions that took place around his father’s final political engagements.

“I heard people talking about terms and asking me where I belong. During Raila’s last days, he spoke with people on different factions. Ask those who were in those meetings if I was there or not,” he said.

This follows a political exchange between Treasury CS John Mbadi and EALA MP Winnie Odinga.

Mbadi defended his record in public service while calling for respect toward veteran leaders, including ODM leader Oburu Oginga.

He dismissed criticism directed at him, insisting that his experience in party leadership and government service placed him in a position that could not be undermined by those he described as lacking comparable political standing.

‎Mbadi pointed to years of service in Parliament and opposition leadership roles, including his tenure in ODM leadership and as Minority Leader.

‎“I have been chairman of ODM for 10 years under Raila Odinga, Minority Leader for five years, and now I am serving as minister. These are not small achievements,” he said.

‎The CS warned against what he termed “juvenile politics” in public discourse.

‎“Show respect to Oburu Oginga. You have no capacity to advise me on how to be Finance Minister,” Mbadi said. 

“You cannot come from nowhere and start advising me. First seek an elective position, be elected, and then people will take you seriously as a leader,” he said.

‎He also insisted he remained confident in his political future, stating that he was capable of national leadership.

The remarks come after the EALA MP criticised the conduct of some government officials.

‎She singled out the National Treasury terming it a critical institution that must be insulated from political disputes.

‎“The National Treasury is not a political office. The National Treasury of the Republic of Kenya is not a personal office,” she said.

‎She added that the institution plays a central role in safeguarding the country’s economic stability.

‎“The national treasury is not a political office. The national treasury of the Republic of Kenya is not a personal office. The national treasury of the largest economy in East and Central Africa is not a platform for you to abuse us and talk to us wherever you want. That is where we carry our economy. Kazi ya hiyo ofisi ni kulinda thamani ya pesa ya wananchi,” she noted.