Justina Wamae says ODM leadership should be succeeded by Raila’s children
By Mustafa Juma, January 18, 2026As wrangles within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party continue to widen, former Roots Party presidential running mate Justina Wamae has now suggested that the Orange party’s leadership should be succeeded by its former leader, Raila Odinga’s children.
Taking to her official X account on Sunday, January 18, 2026, Wamae argued that after Raila’s death, his children are the ones supposed to succeed to all his investments, including the ODM party.
According to Wamae, Raila’s siblings should not be entitled to his investments, including the leadership of the ODM party.
“Upon the death of Baba, all his investments, including ODM leadership, should be succeeded by his children, not siblings,” Wame stated.
Winnie’s Kibera rally
Wamae’s remarks come moments after Raila’s children, Winnie Odinga and Raila Junior, drew a large crowd to Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi’s Kibra slum, signalling the continued influence of the Odinga family in national politics and within the ODM party.
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP arrived at the historic venue in the afternoon to cheers from thousands of supporters. Chants and slogans filled the grounds as speakers praised her father, veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, and called for unity within the party.
Winnie told the congregation that she had delayed her return because of the emotional weight of coming back without her father by her side.
ODM ousters
While addressing the ongoing wrangles within the ODM party, with fears that some rebel members, including Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, are on the verge of being kicked out, Winnie insisted that no one will be expelled from the Orange party.
She said threats will not silence her as tensions rise over the party’s direction following the death of her father. Winnie referenced the late rapper E-Sir’s hit song “Hamnitishi” to dismiss critics.
“Wakati nimekuwa nikiketi hapa. Kuna nyimbo moja imekuwa ikichezwa kichwani. “Hii nyimbo iliandikwa na msanii mwingine alikuwa anaitwa E-Sir, marehemu. Kijana yetu ya South C hapa. Na hiyo nyimbo ilikuwa inaitwa, Hamnitishi. Na alianza hiyo nyimbo na methali. Akasema hivi ‘vitisho vya peni mbili vitanifanya mimi nini.’ Hamnitishi! Hamnibabaishi.”
Winnie tells off opportunists
She also criticised opportunists in the party.
“On this journey, we were passengers, and Baba was the driver. One day, we woke up and were shocked. The driver had died. Slowly, some people moved to the front, grabbed the steering wheel, and pulled it in different directions,” she said.
“They pushed us, passengers, to the back. They forgot Baba died only yesterday. Why the rush? Stop the bus. Let us talk. Let us decide together and move forward.”
Winnie further pointed out that Raila can never be copy-pasted, a possible indication that she doesn’t support her uncle Oburu Odinga’s leadership at the party.
“Nataka watu wajue, Baba was one in a million; hatutampata mwingine. Na vile vile, hauwezi copy-paste Baba. Huwezi copy-paste the greatest leader Kenya has ever seen, ati unabadilisha na huyu, alafu unasema Kenya tuko na Baba. No, haiwezi kuwa hivyo,” she said.