Speaking during the celebrations marking ODM’s 20th anniversary in Mombasa, Winnie told thousands of enthusiastic supporters that neither internal friction nor external manipulation would shake the foundation of the Raila-Odinga-founded movement.
Her message was direct: ODM’s identity and future cannot be altered through secret deals or political scheming.
Winnie opened her address with a fiery declaration aimed at those she says are trying to profit from the party’s challenges after the death of former party leader Raila Odinga.
“ODM is not for sale,” she said firmly, prompting loud cheers from the crowd.
Winnie opened her address with a fiery declaration aimed at those she says are trying to profit from the party’s challenges after the death of former party leader Raila Odinga.
“ODM is not for sale,” she said firmly, prompting loud cheers from the crowd.
“Anyone thinking they can buy or dilute this party should know we are building ODM with seriousness, not games.”
Her comments come at a time when speculation has been swirling around possible internal rifts and alleged negotiations by some leaders with rival political camps. Winnie dismissed the rumours as mere noise designed to confuse members.
The legislator addressed widespread reports about factionalism inside ODM, describing them as exaggerated and baseless.
“Nimeskia mazungumzo ya mgawanyiko wa chama cha ODM,” she said in Kiswahili. “Hiyo wasahau, ni kelele za chura.”
(“I’ve heard talk about ODM splitting. Let them forget it — that is just the noise of frogs.”)
Winnie argued that the confusion witnessed among some party members in recent months is a natural reaction to grief following Raila’s passing.
“When you experience a great tragedy, people act strangely,” she noted. “It is not division — it is grief, shock, and pain.”
Her remarks were seen as an attempt to calm ODM supporters who have been uneasy about the direction of the party, especially with a presidential election less than two years away.
Winnie also accused unnamed leaders of attempting to undermine the party through covert political arrangements conducted outside formal structures.
“Naskia kuna wengine wanatembea na sisi mchana, na usiku wanajaribu kuuza chama,” she revealed. “Hawatafaulu. ODM is not for sale!”
She added that ODM’s legitimacy does not come from boardroom negotiations or bedroom meetings.
“ODM was not born in a bedroom, not made in a bedroom, so its future cannot be discussed in pillow talks,” Winnie said, a clear jab at those she believes are conducting private political deals.
Winnie reminded the gathering that ODM’s roots are found in public struggle, not personal interests.
“ODM was born from protest, raised in resistance, and it still belongs to the people,” she told the jubilant supporters.
She emphasized that the party’s history is intertwined with national movements for justice, democracy, and accountability, and that legacy would not be betrayed.
The EALA MP acknowledged that ODM has had its fair share of missteps, but insisted that those mistakes do not negate its commitment to fighting for Kenyans.
“We are sorry that we don’t always get it right — poleni,” she said.
Her comments come at a time when speculation has been swirling around possible internal rifts and alleged negotiations by some leaders with rival political camps. Winnie dismissed the rumours as mere noise designed to confuse members.
The legislator addressed widespread reports about factionalism inside ODM, describing them as exaggerated and baseless.
“Nimeskia mazungumzo ya mgawanyiko wa chama cha ODM,” she said in Kiswahili. “Hiyo wasahau, ni kelele za chura.”
(“I’ve heard talk about ODM splitting. Let them forget it — that is just the noise of frogs.”)
Winnie argued that the confusion witnessed among some party members in recent months is a natural reaction to grief following Raila’s passing.
“When you experience a great tragedy, people act strangely,” she noted. “It is not division — it is grief, shock, and pain.”
Her remarks were seen as an attempt to calm ODM supporters who have been uneasy about the direction of the party, especially with a presidential election less than two years away.
Winnie also accused unnamed leaders of attempting to undermine the party through covert political arrangements conducted outside formal structures.
“Naskia kuna wengine wanatembea na sisi mchana, na usiku wanajaribu kuuza chama,” she revealed. “Hawatafaulu. ODM is not for sale!”
She added that ODM’s legitimacy does not come from boardroom negotiations or bedroom meetings.
“ODM was not born in a bedroom, not made in a bedroom, so its future cannot be discussed in pillow talks,” Winnie said, a clear jab at those she believes are conducting private political deals.
Winnie reminded the gathering that ODM’s roots are found in public struggle, not personal interests.
“ODM was born from protest, raised in resistance, and it still belongs to the people,” she told the jubilant supporters.
She emphasized that the party’s history is intertwined with national movements for justice, democracy, and accountability, and that legacy would not be betrayed.
The EALA MP acknowledged that ODM has had its fair share of missteps, but insisted that those mistakes do not negate its commitment to fighting for Kenyans.
“We are sorry that we don’t always get it right — poleni,” she said.
“But we will never be sorry for being inconvenient. We will not apologise for standing on the side of the people.”
Winnie concluded her fiery 20th-anniversary speech with a rallying call to party members across the country, urging them to resist pressure from state forces and rival parties seeking to weaken ODM.
“For those trying to confuse us or separate the party — that will not work,” she said.
Winnie concluded her fiery 20th-anniversary speech with a rallying call to party members across the country, urging them to resist pressure from state forces and rival parties seeking to weaken ODM.
“For those trying to confuse us or separate the party — that will not work,” she said.
“ODM is intact. ODM is solid. ODM belongs to the people, and it remains unshakable.”
Hello, my name is Yoruba. I'm a 25 year old self-employed blogger from the Africa.
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