Jaoko Oburu has added his voice to the ongoing divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party, firing off a message that the party belongs to the Kenyan people and not to any individual or group.

In a statement on his X page on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Oburu warned against actions that could derail the party, in what could be construed as a response to his cousin Winnie Odinga, who recently stirred controversy with her remarks about opportunists emerging from within the party after Raila Odinga’s death.

Winnie’s remarks have seemingly sparked a fresh dimension to the divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), with many perceiving it as a new frontier in what appears to be a family feud.

The government adviser warned against any attempts to undermine the collective efforts and sacrifices made by those who fought to establish the party.

Kenyan people

“ODM is a national party that has been built by the sweat, pain, and resilience of the Kenyan people. It was built brick by brick through the silent sacrifices of mothers in the villages, the weary hands of workers in the cities, and the courageous stand of ordinary citizens who shared similar principles with the ODM party.

He reiterated the call for reconciliation, urging a focused approach based on the values of the party and the vision of its late leader, Raila Odinga.

“The party doesn’t belong to an individual or a certain community; it belongs to the Kenyan people. We will remain united while being guided by the party’s constitution and the principles that were set by our founding members and Baba Raila Odinga,” his statement read.

Oburu’s sentiments follow the backlash elicited by Raila Odinga’s daughter Winnie’s remarks at Kamukunji Grounds in Kibra during an ODM-linked rally on Sunday, January 18, 2026.

Winnie’s remarks

The youngest daughter of the fiery leader took a swipe at a section of leaders she described as opportunists in the party for hijacking the party’s agenda shortly after Raila’s death.

“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.

Winnie urged a slow-paced, consultative approach to the challenges facing the party in a fiery statement that had since attracted the ire of a section of the members. Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai was among the first to criticise her, decrying what he termed as attempts to reduce the party to a family affair.

On the flip side, Odinga has received support from sections of politicians and political pundits, such as Herman Manyora, among others