Powerful Position Winnie Odinga Will Take After Raila's Death

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The Orange Democratic Party (ODM) is preparing for a significant leadership shift following the death of its long-serving party leader, the late Honorable Raila Odinga.

Attention has now turned to his last-born daughter, Winnie Odinga, who is expected to assume a powerful position within the party, marking a new chapter in her political journey.

Winnie Odinga, an East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament, has long been viewed as a vibrant and outspoken political figure, even during her father’s lifetime.

According to ODM Nairobi County Chairperson and Makadara Member of Parliament George Aladwa, plans are underway to co-opt Winnie into the party’s top leadership structures, signaling confidence in her ability to step out of her father’s shadow and chart her own political path.

Speaking on Saturday, January 3, Aladwa revealed that Winnie will first be co-opted as a Nairobi delegate, a position previously held by Raila Odinga.

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Following this, she will be proposed for the position of ODM Deputy Party Leader. Aladwa further disclosed that the party intends to expand the number of deputy party leaders to four, with Winnie expected to take up the fourth slot.

“Raila Odinga was a Nairobi delegate, so I will propose that Winnie Odinga be included in that position in his place. We will also propose having four deputy party leaders in the ODM party,” Aladwa said.

Addressing concerns about possible dominance of the ODM by the Odinga family, Aladwa dismissed such claims, arguing that Winnie should be judged on her own merit.

He emphasized that despite sharing a family name, Winnie is distinct in personality and leadership style from her uncle, ODM Party Leader Oburu Odinga, and her aunt, Ruth Odinga.

The ODM Deputy Party Leader positions became vacant after Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya joined President William Ruto’s Cabinet.

The proposed elevation of Winnie Odinga is therefore seen as both a strategic and symbolic move as the party reorganizes its leadership after Raila Odinga’s passing.