National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has hit back at Winnie Odinga after the EALA MP criticised government leaders over their tone and handling of economic issues.

Mbadi spoke on Saturday, May 16, 2026, a day after Winnie warned leaders against arrogance and said the National Treasury should not be treated as a personal office or political platform.

In a strongly worded response, the Treasury CS defended his political record, his relationship with the late Raila Odinga and his leadership credentials, while insisting that critics lacked the standing to lecture him.

“You can’t come from nowhere to start advising me. First, seek an elective position. Be elected, and then people will start also nurturing you as a leader going forward,” Mbadi said.

“But we are not going to tolerate petty petty and small and juvenile politics. I am not ready for that. I will not succumb to that.”

Mbadi appeared to directly dismiss Winnie’s criticism by arguing that he had earned his position through years of political service under the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

“I have been chairman of ODM under Raila Odinga for 10 years. It’s not a mean achievement. I have been minority leader for five years. It’s not a mean achievement. I am now minister for two years,” he stated.

Capable of seeking higher office

The CS also made it clear that he sees himself as a national leader capable of seeking higher office in the future.

“I am ready to lead this country. Who tells you I cannot lead? I am ready to lead this country even going forward as the president,” he said.

“You cannot advise me. If you want to come to the field, you cannot advise me. I am ready. I will not waste my time with juvenile politics.”

Mbadi’s remarks came amid growing tension between him and members of the Odinga family following comments he made during an ODM retreat in Mombasa earlier in May 2026.

Mbadi fires back hard

The row intensified after Winnie, while speaking at a funeral in Kisii County on Friday, May 15, 2026, accused some government leaders of speaking to Kenyans disrespectfully instead of focusing on the struggling economy.

“The National Treasury of the Republic of Kenya is not a personal office,” Winnie said.

“The National Treasury of the largest economy in East and Central Africa is not a platform for you to abuse us and talk to us wherever you want.”

She also pointed to rising fuel prices, unemployment, debt and the high cost of farming inputs, saying economic leaders should “talk less and work more”.

Although Winnie did not mention Mbadi by name, her remarks came days after criticism from sections of the Odinga family over statements he made at the ODM retreat.

At the retreat, Mbadi said ODM did not belong to any family and that leaders should stop treating the party as personal property.

In his Saturday, May 16, 2026, address, Mbadi denied disrespecting Raila and insisted that nobody could question his loyalty to the late ODM leader.

“Change it to appear like there’s some disrespect from me of the late Raila Amolo Odinga. The respects I had for Raila Odinga and which I have no reason to withdraw even in death, everybody knows,” he said.

Mbadi recalled joining Raila’s political movement in 1992 when he was still young.

“I have worked with Baba probably the longest and I started with Raila when I was 20 years old in 1992. And no one forced me,” he stated.

He added that Raila rewarded him with several senior political positions because of his loyalty and service.

“He rewarded me as assistant minister in his office. He made me the chairman of his party for 10 years. He made me minority leader five years. He also made me a minister,” Mbadi said.

“If it were not for Raila Odinga today, I would not be a minister.”

Defends rallying behind Oburu

Mbadi also defended ODM’s decision to rally behind Oburu Odinga after Raila’s death.

He said Oburu earned respect because he stood with his brother during difficult political moments in the 1990s when many leaders abandoned him.

“Oburu Odinga has a wealth of experience. He could be old, but he’s mentally smart,” Mbadi said.

“And there is nowhere that Raila sought advice without starting with Oburu Odinga.”

The Treasury CS warned against attempts to divide the Luo community and argued that unity remained important for the community’s political influence.

“Anybody who is attempting to divide this community is the enemy of this community,” he declared.

Mbadi also insisted that ODM members must now focus on the party’s future instead of constantly invoking Raila’s name in political disputes.

“Raila is six months not with us. Dropping his name is not going to help us. It’s not going to move us. We must now respect the leadership which is there,” he said.

At the same time, he acknowledged that replacing Raila’s influence would not be easy.

“I know there is no one who has fitted in the shoes of Raila, and probably there will be none. Even if there will be one, it will take time,” he stated.

The public exchange has exposed growing tensions inside ODM over succession, leadership and control of the party following Raila’s death.

Mbadi’s response showed he views criticism from younger leaders as political attacks from people who have not yet earned authority through elections or long service in the party.