Winnie Odinga gives Kenya Moja Alliance fresh impetus

EALA MP Winne Odinga is giving youthful rebel MPs fresh impetus as they seek to destabilise the establishment.

A group of MPs, mainly from ODM, had been coalescing around an amorphous caucus calling itself the Kenya Moja Alliance before former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s death scattered their activities.

But the vocal emergence of Winnie, who is Raila’s daughter, has given them a lifeline. 

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has been the presumptive leader of the caucus, which also opposes President William Ruto’s bid for a second term.

The leaders include MPs Babu Owino (Embakasi East, ODM), Caleb Amisi (Sabaoti, ODM), Obadia Barongo (Bomachoge Borabu, ODM), Joshua Kimilu (Kaiti, Wiper) and Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South-ODM).

Others are Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri, UDA), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba, ODM), Jack Omboka (Bumula, DAP-K), Majimbo Kalasinga (Kabuchai, Ford Kenya) and Ojiambo Oundo (Funyula, ODM).

And now, following the death of Raila, the MPs seem to have gotten an ally in the name of Winnie, who is proving to be a rabble rouser within her late father’s ODM Party following her fiery speech in Mombasa on November 15 during the ODM@20 anniversary celebrations.

ODM has been divided in opinion over its arrangement with Ruto under the broad-based arrangement. The Sifuna faction has been vocal in dismissing calls to have a pact beyond 2027.

During the ODM fete, Winnie, who is also serving as a legislator at the East African Legislative Assembly, publicly rubbished the appointment and later confirmation of her uncle Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga as Raila’s replacement.

Winnie claimed that unnamed party leaders were plotting to ‘sell’ the ODM founded by her late father in 2005, while saying the future of the broad-based arrangement cannot be determined as ‘pillow talk’.

“That relationship is complicated, and the people taking upon themselves to manage it now, are they capable of managing that relationship?” she said.

“That is a question for the people to answer. It is why I am requesting we go back to the people and see who the people will pick to handle that relationship.

“We need to go back to the people and have NDC (National Delegates’ Conference) and see who the people want to pick to manage that relationship,” she said just a day after the ODM National Governing Council met to confirm Oburu.

During the event, Sifuna appeared to break the agreed protocol and invited Babu Owino, who declared he was fit to take over the helm of the ODM as a party leader.

“Jana niliona viongozi wetu wa ODM wakipewa viti, congratulations. Lakini nataka niwaulize swali wadosi, mliangalia huyu Babu Owino mkaona hawezi tosha kiti yoyote (Yesterday, I saw ODM people get some seats, but I want to ask here, you saw this Babu Owino is not competent enough for any seat)?” he asked.

“Kwa hivyo mfikirie hiyo. Youth leader (Oburu), nakuheshimu, lakini hapo mbele hata Babu ametosha party leader (So, reflect on that. Youth leader (Oburu), I respect you but going forward, even Babu is capable).”

Kitutu Chache South MP Kibagendi says the only thing that brings them together is their push for ‘one term’, whether they prefer different presidential candidates or they will eventually morph into a third force.

“One term is constant,” he said, adding that the group will intensify its anti-Ruto activities.

“We will be telling people that Ruto does not deserve an extra single minute in office.”

Babu recently redefined the group. “We’re not a third force — we are the force,” he said. “This government lacked proper checks and balances, and we’ve stepped in to fill that gap."

Amisi agreed, describing Kenya Moja as a generational transition.

“This is a generational struggle, just like we transitioned from colonialism to African rule, or from apartheid to black leadership. Change is knocking,” he said.

Winnie and Babu’s remarks have been interpreted as meaning ODM should return to its pro-reform and democracy protests.

“I support Winnie Odinga, ODM is a party of the people, the party of demonstrations,” Kisumu East Shakeel Shabbir said.

Picking the cue from Winnie’s speech, Sifuna warned ODM leaders against turning ongoing by-election campaigns into a ‘two-term’ agenda, insisting there is nothing like a broad-based candidate.

The Nairobi Senator warned that the party is firmly focused on mobilising support for its candidates in the by-elections, and that any secondary agenda, such as lobbying for Ruto’s re-election, will not be tolerated.

"As the central committee, we agreed that what the party has not decided on cannot be brought in rallies," he said.

“The party will decide at the right time how it will participate in the 2027 General Election. Those who want to bring confusion should know that the by-elections are for MCAs and MPs. If you have your 2027 issues, wait until ODM members tell us what they want us to do.”