Millie Odhiambo confronts ODM leaders, demands respect for Odinga family
By Kenneth Mwenda, January 24, 2026Suba North Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo drew sharp reactions in Kisumu on Saturday, January 24, 2026, during an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) grassroots mobilisation event, after she called for respect for the entire Odinga family amid growing internal tensions.
Speaking from the stage, Odhiambo urged ODM supporters to stop heckling members of Raila Odinga’s family, including his widow, Ida Odinga, and daughter, Winnie Odinga. The event, held to promote unity in the Lake Region, welcomed acting ODM party leader Oburu Oginga, Raila’s elder brother.
Odhiambo spoke firmly as the crowd repeatedly interrupted her. She said her respect for Oburu came not only from his position as acting party leader, but also from his relationship with the late Raila Odinga.
“The respect I give Oburu as party leader is because I know him as a person, and also because of Raila Odinga. He is Raila’s brother,” she told the crowd.
She extended the same respect to the rest of the family, insisting she would not tolerate public insults directed at Ida or Winnie Odinga.
“In the same vein, I respect Ida and Winnie Odinga. I will not disrespect them, even if you heckle me or refuse that,” she said.
Her defence of Winnie triggered louder heckling from sections of the audience. Odhiambo described Winnie as young and open to guidance, urging party supporters to correct her respectfully rather than attack her publicly.
“Winnie is a small child. If you see her going wrong, you tell her, ‘Follow this way,’ and you correct her,” Odhiambo said.
Odinga family rift deepens
In recent remarks at a forum in Kibra, Winnie warned against “copying and pasting Baba” and insisted that ODM “cannot be sold or hijacked”. She also claimed some party leaders refused to give the family and party time after Raila’s death.
Oburu responded the same day while addressing reporters at his Kisumu home. He confirmed that the family would hold a meeting on February 1, 2026, to resolve the differences.
“Young people sometimes express divergent views. I will talk to them,” he said, referring to Winnie and Raila Junior as “my children”.
He stressed the need for party discipline, saying that once ODM makes a decision, members should not oppose it publicly. He warned that destructive criticism weakens the party.
The dispute has split ODM into rival camps. Winnie and Raila Junior have aligned with Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and MP Babu Owino, pushing for a National Delegates Conference to elect new leaders. Oburu, however, has indicated plans to run as ODM’s presidential candidate in 2027 if the party does not enter a coalition.