Talks of Winnie Odinga Joining Cabinet Intensify as MP Explains Why The Move Could Reshape Alliances

Late Raila Odinga's daughter, Winnie Odinga in the political arena seemingly shaking the political scene, talks of her inclusion in the Head of State His Excellency President William Ruto's Cabinet have started to gain momentum, as sources indicate that she is currently being eyed for a plum position in government.

Even though details of the Cabinet slot she may be assigned to oversee remain scanty, it has been established that President William Ruto is seeking to lean on her influence on the Nyanza voting bloc ahead of the 2027 general elections, by nominating her to be in charge of a top Ministry in the Kenya Kwanza administration.

According to Ruto, Winnie Odinga's appointment to Cabinet would serve many purposes, not only giving the Luo people more representation in the ruling administration, but also to affirm his plea for national unity and to quash ethnic politics.

In regards to the speculations, Member of Parliament MP representing Nyaribari Masaba Constituency in the National Assembly Hon Daniel Manduku has given a nod to the move, affirming that Winnie Odinga's growing influence could dictate future alliances due to the death of her father who had millions of loyal supporters particularly in Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) heartlands.

According to Daniel Manduku inclusion of Winnie Odinga to the Cabinet would boost Ruto's appeal to the Luo-Nyanza people, and would help him win over women's and youths votes in the fast approaching 2027 general elections. 

Aside from that, Manduku also argued that the move may also sway the opinion of the people who were nostalgic about Raila Odinga's legacy.

Prior to the emergence of the report, Winnie Odinga had expressed her willingness to cooperate with the government, after she publicly called for a fresh National Delegates Conference (NDC) to discuss ODM's future with Ruto's led Kenya Kwanza administration.