Winnie Odinga Endorsed For Deputy Party Leader Position, As Sifuna Replacement Touted
Nairobi delegates of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have endorsed EALA MP Winnie Odinga for the position of Deputy Party Leader.
The endorsement came during a delegates’ meeting on Tuesday, held amid deepening internal wrangles within the party.
Winnie Odinga, the daughter of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, was backed for a key leadership position that could influence major political decisions in the party as younger members vie with the older generation.
The meeting, overseen by Makadara MP and Nairobi branch chairperson George Aladwa, also endorsed Winnie for the role of Nairobi’s number one party delegate.
“She will sit at the NEC, Central Committee, and be one of the Deputy Party Leaders. Majority of the delegates hereby approve her to represent us,” announced Aladwa.
This number one delegate role was previously held by her father, Raila Odinga, in Nairobi, one of the party’s strongest strongholds.
Winnie Odinga now officially assumes the title of ‘Nairobi Delegate Number One’, taking over the mantle from her late father.
ODM chairpersons from Nairobi’s 17 constituencies publicly backed Winnie Odinga as the county’s delegate in the party’s national leadership.
Sifuna Replacement?
In the same meeting, Nairobi ODM delegates endorsed George Aladwa for the position of party secretary-general ahead of the forthcoming National Delegates Convention (NDC).
The party’s SG role is currently held by Busia Women Representative Catherine Omanyo in an acting capacity following the disputed removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
The endorsement of Winnie marks her first public alignment with the Oburu-Odinga-aligned faction after previously appearing at odds with the camp.
In January, during a rally in Kamkunji, Winnie Odinga contradicted statements by party leader Oburu Odinga regarding members who wished to leave ODM.
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She insisted that no one should be removed, emphasising that the party belongs to the people.
She declared, “Nobody will be removed from the party. They talk too much, and when we ask questions, they tell us to leave.
“If we leave, who will they remain with? This is a people’s party, and when we leave, we leave with the people.”
Winnie has previously appeared to align with the younger generation within ODM, including the splinter faction allied to Linda Mwananchi, Sifuna, and Babu Owino.
However, following a family meeting convened by her uncle Oburu in February, she has largely moderated her public statements and maintained a lower profile in party affairs.
Winnie Odinga Endorsed For Deputy Party Leader Position, As Sifuna Replacement Touted
