Kathiani Member of Parliament (MP) Robert Mbui has defended the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga, praising her for what he described as standing firm on late Raila Odinga’s principles at a time when the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is grappling with deep internal rifts and an identity crisis following the absence of its longtime leader.

Speaking during an interview on a local TV station on Monday, January 19, 2026, Mbui lauded Winnie for speaking out against what he termed as selfish manoeuvres by a section of ODM leaders eager to inherit Raila’s base without defending the people and values he stood for.

“Raila Odinga was very clear. What people keep calling a coalition was never a coalition. It was not about joining hands to share power. It was about sharing some common interests for the sake of stabilising the country at a very dangerous moment,” he stated.

 According to Mbui, Raila’s support was not unconditional, noting that a 10-point agenda had been agreed upon but was later ignored.

“There was a 10-point agenda that was discussed, but it has been completely ignored. And now, after his demise, what we are seeing is people rushing to inherit his base,” the MP said.

There is friction in the country’s most popular party with members divided over the future of the faction in the post-Raila era. Some have publicly pledged to support President William Ruto’s reelection bid, while others maintain that ODM will field its candidate as per Raila’s last standing instructions.

ODM jitters

On his part, Mbui has accused emerging factions within ODM of prioritising personal ambition over the interests of ordinary Kenyans.

“When you listen to them in rallies, they are not talking about the people. They are talking about themselves, about their political future. Nothing about the common mwananchi.”

It is this behaviour, Mbui argued, that explains why Winnie Odinga’s recent outspokenness has resonated with many within the party.

“I am very happy with what Raila’s two children have done. They have come out and said, This is not what our father stood for.’ And Kenyans know exactly what Raila stood for,” the legislator asserted.

ODM need youthful leadership?

Winnie Odinga has in recent weeks openly criticised sections of ODM leaders who she said were only using Raila and never believed in him, warning that she will not remain silent as the party drifts away from its founding ideals, maintaining that no one will be expelled from ODM.

Speaking on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at a rally in Kibra, she accused some leaders of hypocrisy and self-interest.

“As the lastborn, when you see things go wrong, lazima uchome. I have come kuchoma.”

Mbui echoed that sentiment, warning that ODM risks tearing itself apart if it continues down the current path.

“Before Raila was even laid to rest, you could already see two camps rushing to inherit his position. The progressive forces and the draconian forces. People were fighting before he was even six feet under,” he argued.

He took issue with leaders who have openly suggested that dissenting voices should leave the party.

“They are now saying whoever doesn’t want to be here can go. They even want to chase away members of their own party. That is not what ODM was built on.”

Mbui also pointed to recent incidents where ODM leadership attended parallel meetings as a sign of deepening dysfunction, adding that internal democracy is the only way to rescue ODM.

“You saw it even in Kakamega. The party leader ends up attending two parallel functions, participating in one and then, in a veiled manner, criticising the other. That tells you the party is being messed up,” he stated.

“Maybe it is high time the party holds proper elections. Let the winners take over and move the party forward. People like Winnie Odinga represent the next generation, and they must be given space.”