Orengo: How could ODM have celebrated its 20th anniversary with Ida being absent?
By Mabonga Makhanu, April 25, 2026Siaya Governor James Orengo has come out to question why the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) allowed the party’s 20th anniversary to take place without the presence of Ida Odinga, the spouse of the late Raila Odinga.
While speaking during an interview aired on the Herman Manyora Podcast on Friday, April 25, 2026, he stated that it was not right for the celebrations to have continued or taken place without the widely labelled “Min Piny” being present.
According to Orengo, Ida, who was recently appointed to be Kenya’s representative at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has been close to their late party leader and has seen ODM become what it is today.
He compared her to Winnie Mandela, who played a key role in the independence of South Africa while in the shadows of her husband, Nelson Mandela.
Saying that it could have been more significant if Ida had been present to attend the anniversary of the party that her husband led for the 2 decades it was in existence
“And how can you celebrate ODM at 20 without Ida Odinga, who has been on his side over many years, by even by tradition and cultural customs, is still mourning the husband? yeah, in the homes, yeah, she wasn’t like Winnie Mandela, you know, even whether the marriage was on or not; yes, she was still a significant player in Nelson Mandela’s social life.”
The celebrations
According to Orengo, at the time when the ODM @20 fete was taking place, Ida was still at home in Kang’o ka Jaramogi, culturally mourning the late leader.
He also questioned the timing of the celebrations, asking how the party could have set up festivities when the country was still mourning the late Raila Odinga and why there was such urgency. He further stated that the three-day celebrations had President William Ruto’s hand in them, claiming that the president was the one who bankrolled the highly charged ceremony.
Questions on Raila’s death
This comes at a time when Orengo has been asking tough questions regarding the death of Raila Odinga and the events surrounding it.
He has been on record saying that Raila was killed and that his death was not by natural causes, adding that for now, he will allow the family to mourn, but at the right time, he will speak out on what he believes led to Raila’s death.