Oburu reacts to Winnie Odinga’s recommendation for ODM-Ruto pact strategy
By Luke Oluoch, November 15, 2025Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Oburu Oginga has responded to Winnie Odinga’s recommendation that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) convene a National Delegates Meeting (NDC) to decide its approach to the pact with William Ruto’s government.
Speaking in Mombasa at ODM @20 celebrations on Saturday, November 15, 2025, Oburu respectfully differed with Winnie by dismissing her proposal.
In a conciliatory approach, the veteran leader stated that she would privately engage Winnie over the matter.
Tutaongea kimyumbani
“Mumemsikia mtoto wangu Winnie akisema eti Raila alikuwa hapo, na eti sasa tutafute mwingine atusaidie kuendeleza hii broad-based government. ninamwambia hiyo tutaongea naye kinyumbani,”
Oburu, who was recently ratified as the new party leader by the party’s top organs, reiterated his commitment to take over the leadership mantle.
He declared his readiness to steer the party in line with his successor and younger brother, Raila.
“Hii kiti ambacho mmenipaea kuwa party leader nitaendela vile Raila alikuwa anaendelea bila uwoga yoyote. Nitatimiza yale yote ambayo ndugu yangu alitake itimizwe,” he added.
His remarks emanated from a bold call by Winnie after she proposed that the ODM party hold a National Delegates Conference to decide the party’s relationship under the broad-based pact.
The youngest daughter of the late Raila Odinga expressed doubts about the capacity of the current crop of leaders to manage party affairs in Raila’s absence.
Broad-based matters
“When it came to the matter of broad-based government, the people of ODM trusted one person to manage that complicated relationship; that person is Baba Raila Odinga,” she stated.
In a brave call to action, Raila’s daughter implored the party’s highest decision-making organ to make its pronouncement on the issue.
“That relationship is complicated, and the people taking upon themselves to manage it now, are they capable of managing that relationship? That is a question for the people to answer. It is why I am requesting we go back to the people and see who the people will pick to handle that relationship,” she stated. We need to go back to the people and have NDC and see who the people want to pick to manage that relationship,” she stated.