Fresh Details Emerge As Winnie Odinga Addresses ODM Tensions and Talk of Rift With Oburu Oginga

Winnie Odinga has stepped forward to confront growing talk of cracks inside ODM, breaking her silence at a time when the party is still adjusting to life after the death of former ODM boss and former Broad-Based Government partner Raila Odinga. 

The whispers have centred on alleged differences between her and her uncle, Oburu Oginga, sparking anxiety among supporters already uneasy about the party’s future.

The debate intensified after a detailed post circulating online reignited questions about internal power struggles, a conversation Winnie directly responded to in her remarks.

Her message landed clearly: ODM’s issues should not be personalised or reduced to family drama.

Winnie pushed back against claims that she is at odds with Oburu Oginga, describing the narrative as exaggerated and unhelpful at a moment when unity matters most. 

She reminded supporters that ODM has always been bigger than individuals, even those carrying historic surnames that defined opposition politics for decades.

Still, the tension is real. With Raila Odinga gone and buried like a king despite not occupying presidential office, the centre of gravity in ODM has shifted. 

Veterans like Oburu Oginga represent continuity and institutional memory, while figures like Winnie symbolise generational transition and a more activist-driven politics.

Inside ODM circles, there is quiet competition over influence, messaging and direction. Some youth leaders feel sidelined, while older hands worry the party could lose structure and discipline if tradition is discarded too quickly. 

Winnie’s intervention appears aimed at calming both camps without choosing sides.

Her tone was deliberate. Rather than attack, she framed the issue as one of collective responsibility, urging members to stop projecting personal ambitions onto imagined feuds. For her, public unity is not optional but necessary if ODM hopes to remain relevant in a fast-changing political environment.

Online reactions show a party base split between reassurance and scepticism. Some believe Winnie is emerging as a stabilising voice. Others feel deeper disagreements are being masked by polite language.

What is clear is that ODM is in transition, and every statement now carries extra weight. Winnie Odinga’s response may not end the debate, but it signals awareness that silence is no longer an option.