Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has stated that there is a high possibility of a sinister motive behind the push for East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga to become the ODM deputy party leader.

Speaking during a presser held in Starehe Constituency on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Osotsi urged Winnie to tread carefully, claiming she could be used by the Oburu Odinga-led Linda Ground faction to justify the legality of the upcoming ODM National Delegates’ Convention (NDC), which, according to him, has not been legally convened.

He went ahead to defend Winnie, noting that she has a democratic right to contest any position within the party, be it party leader or deputy party leader, but cautioned her against being used by the Oburu-led faction.

“On the issue of winnie, I think she has a democratic right on which seat to contest whether she wants to became the party leader or deputy party leader, but I want to tell her as a caution to tread very carefully; those from Linda Ground would want to use her to justify what they are going to do on March 27,” he said.

“I think there is a sinister motive but we are not focused on that as Linda Mwananchi because our focus is to fight for the soul of ODM.”

Babu’s urge to Winnie

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who was also part of the presser, used the analogy of a turtle placed in both a pond and an ocean.

He explained that when the turtle is in a pond, it bumps into walls while swimming, but in the ocean, it swims freely without interference.

He likened Winnie’s position in the Linda Ground faction to a turtle in a pond, suggesting that if she ditches it and joins the Linda Mwananchi side, she would have more political freedom and would be like a turtle in an ocean.

Siaya Governor James Orengo, who also attended the presser, defended Winnie, stating that since the death of her father, Raila Odinga, she has been protecting his political legacy and the soul of ODM.

According to Orengo, the spirit of her late father now aligns with the Linda Mwananchi faction.

Winnie’s elevation to delegate role

This comes after Winnie Odinga attended a Nairobi ODM delegates’ meeting chaired by Makadara MP George Aladwa. During the forum, Winnie was elevated to the position of Nairobi delegates’ leader, a role previously held by Raila Odinga.

At the same meeting, Nairobi delegates overwhelmingly endorsed Winnie for the deputy party leader position ahead of elections scheduled for March 27, 2026, when new party officials are expected to be elected, which will also be the NDC day.

The push for Winnie Odinga to become deputy party leader began months ago when Aladwa publicly insisted that she should take over the Nairobi delegates’ position once held by her father.

He added that after securing his own position as a delegate, he would champion her bid for the deputy party leadership.

Previous push

Additionally, with her aunt, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, serving as the ODM organising secretary and a member of the National Executive Council (NEC), and her uncle Oburu Odinga holding a senior leadership role in the party, something that could spark concerns of ODM being a family affair.

However, Aladwa dismissed these claims, maintaining that Winnie is equally qualified for the position, just like any other contender, including her relatives who also hold senior positions in the Orange Party.