ODM Asili: Is this Winnie Odinga’s new political vehicle?

By Newsflash Writer

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is facing renewed questions over its unity after a charged rally in Kibera, Nairobi, reignited debate on whether Raila Odinga’s daughter, Winnie Odinga, is at the centre of a new faction being branded ODM Asili—a term suggesting a return to the party’s “original” ideals and ownership.

The rally, held on Sunday, January 19, 2025, brought together key ODM figures and sympathisers and was marked by fiery rhetoric, symbolism and thinly veiled warnings to the party’s current power brokers. While no formal declaration of a split was made, the language used, the actors involved and the historical parallels drawn have deepened speculation that ODM could be headed for an internal rupture.

‘ODM Asili is Winnie and Junior’

The talk of ODM Asili was ignited when one of the speakers at the Kibera rally openly hinted at plans to “reclaim” what he described as the original ODM.

The speaker directly linked the party’s authenticity to the Odinga family, declaring: “We must agree on one thing, this is the ODM Asili (Original). ODM Asili is Junior (Odinga) and Winnie. They are the ones with Raila’s party title deed.”

Also present at the rally was Raila Odinga Junior, adding weight to the symbolism of the gathering.

Raila Junior (left) and Winnie Odinga at an ODM rally in Kibera, Nairobi, on 19/1/2026. Photo/Handout

The speaker went further to demand internal party reforms, calling for a National Delegates Conference (NDC) to allow grassroots members to elect party officials democratically. “We want the National Delegates Conference (NDC) so that we can elect to party positions by the vote of the people,” he said, adding: “We have just started the journey… we are going countrywide.”

The rally also acknowledged greetings from ODM ‘rebels’ Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, both of whom have been openly critical of the party’s direction, particularly its engagement with President William Ruto’s administration.

ODM ‘power brokers’

Speaking during the fiery Kibera rally, Winnie, an East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP, accused a faction within ODM of hijacking power, making unilateral decisions without consultation and threatening dissenters with expulsion. She warned that she would not stay silent when things go wrong within the party.

Ms Odinga acknowledged resistance from some quarters but insisted she would continue speaking out regardless of the political discomfort it causes. Her remarks echoed sentiments she expressed during an ODM meeting in Mombasa late last year, where she warned against what she termed the “auctioning” of the party.

Using a vivid analogy, she told supporters: “We were passengers and Baba was the driver. Then one day Baba was no more. Suddenly, those who were near him rushed to the steering wheel, all pulling it in different directions, while pushing us around like luggage.”

She dismissed claims that her family had aligned itself with any of the emerging factions within ODM. “As a family, we are not in either faction. We are Team Baba. We belong to the side that belongs to Baba,” she said, accusing some leaders of hypocrisy and falsely claiming political proximity to Raila Odinga.

Warnings of sycophancy

Ms Odinga warned that ODM risks losing public support due to selfish individuals who, she said, are betraying the party’s founding values. “We are saying today: relax. Baba died just the other day. What is the hurry? Let us talk first and move forward together,” she said.

She criticised leaders claiming that Raila Odinga had privately endorsed certain positions or alliances. “Baba was never a sycophant. There was not a single day when Baba told us he had left us. Those claiming that Baba privately told them this or that are being disrespectful. Everything Baba said was said openly in front of his people,” she added.

Raila Junior at ODM rally in Kibera, Nairobi, on 19/1/2026. Photo/Handout

Labelling some ODM leaders as sycophants, she said: “There are people who never believed in Baba, they were just using him. Some of them were never there during ODM struggles. Many used him for their own interests and clearly do not understand what this party stands for.”

She also opposed the expulsion of members for expressing views on the broad-based government. “They talk too much, and when we question them, they tell us to leave the party. If we all leave, who will remain? This party belongs to the people,” she said, before adding: “I bring greetings from Babu Owino and Edwin Sifuna. We are united.”

Familiar script?

Even as the Kibera rally unfolded, a rival ODM gathering was taking place in Kakamega, led by party leader Dr Oburu Oginga and figures aligned with the pro-William Ruto camp.

Speaking to supporters at the same grounds later in the week, Dr Oburu asked leaders and members unhappy with ODM’s management to leave quietly without causing confusion or sending mixed signals to supporters.

Political analysts see troubling historical parallels. Analyst Kiprotich Mutai warned that ODM could be heading down the same path as the original Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD), which split in 1992. “I see ODM going the original FORD way – where the once strong party split into Ford Asili and Ford Kenya – enabling the late Daniel arap Moi to retain power in the 1992 general elections by a small margin,” he said.

FORD, formed in 1991 as the main opposition to President Moi’s KANU regime, split in August 1992 after internal leadership wrangles.

The fallout produced FORD-Asili, led by Kenneth Matiba and Martin Shikuku, and FORD-Kenya, led by Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. Both factions contested the elections separately, fracturing the opposition vote and paving the way for KANU’s victory.

Whether ODM Asili becomes a formal political vehicle or remains a rhetorical battle cry, the echoes of history—and the rising voice of Winnie Odinga—suggest the party is entering one of the most consequential moments since its formation.