Pauline Odhiambo Oginga, the sister of the late Raila Odinga, has contended that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is approaching the structured negotiations from a position of weakness.

While speaking during an interview with Herman Manyora on his podcast on Saturday, April 18, 2026, she argued that ODM, a party her brother took 20 years to build to its current status, risks emerging from the negotiation talks with what she described as “leftovers” due to its lack of strength and bargaining power.

“Odm is approaching these negotiations while very weak; you can’t approach negotiations while you are weak; somebody will give you leftovers.”

“When you want to negotiate, you must be strong. Someone must recognise you; you must have the might that somebody can do without you.”

Structured negotiations

She went on to express her disappointment with the sorry state of ODM, noting that, unlike the current situation, Raila used to approach such talks from a position of strength.

She added that he made ODM strong and attractive to the extent that other parties sought him out because they could not do without him, not the other way around, as she claims is happening now, where ODM is seeking partnerships with other parties.

She also questioned what she described as mixed signals within the party. According to her, party leader Oburu Odinga and chairperson Gladys Wanga are issuing conflicting statements that are confusing members. She noted that traditionally, once ODM makes a decision, there is no turning back and all members are expected to follow that direction.

‘And the ODM party leader said, ‘This is a direction we are taking. And then now we are seeing a chairperson. She’s now going the other side. The other side. Some people were punished for speaking their mind.”

Loggerheads in ODM

However, she pointed out that while the party leader has indicated support for talks with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Wanga has expressed a different opinion, something she says is leaving members in limbo, unsure of which direction to follow.

She also faulted the Oburu Odinga-led “Linda Ground” initiative, which held several meetings meant to prepare the ground and strengthen the party ahead of coalition negotiations, saying it only conducted a few meetings before collapsing.

She further criticised what she termed as ‘double standards’ within the party, questioning why Edwin Sifuna was disciplined for speaking against the party position, while no action has been taken against Wanga for allegedly doing the same. According to Pauline, this is sending mixed signals to ODM members.

She concluded by calling for a steady and stable party position that will give members clear direction, rather than the current state of division within the party.