Ruth Odinga opens up on how MP Nyikal stood by her after ODM blocked her bids
By Mustafa Juma, May 2, 2026Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has opened up about the emotional challenges she faced during past Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party nomination contests, revealing how Seme MP James Nyikal stood by her during moments of rejection.
Speaking on Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Ridore village, Seme Sub-county, Kisumu County, during the burial of Mzee Nyikal Okaka, the father of the legislator, Ruth described Nyikal as a trusted mentor who supported her through difficult political periods.
She recounted how earlier attempts to vie for elective positions were blocked by the party, leaving her deeply distressed.
“James Nyikal has been my good friend and mentor. Nyikal mentored me a lot, and there were times I would go to him crying when I had been told by the party that you can’t vie for this or that seat,” she said.
She noted that Nyikal consistently encouraged her to remain patient and resilient despite the setbacks.
“He would mentor me and tell me, Next time, it will happen,” she added.
Praise for Nyikal’s leadership
Beyond personal support, Ruth praised Nyikal’s leadership style, describing him as fair, principled, and inclusive.
“I like his toil and his straightforwardness, and I like how, even as the chair of DUOL, you take good care of us. You always make sure that you don’t discriminate,” she said.
Nyikal chairs the DUOL forum, which brings together elected leaders from the Luo Nyanza region.
Call for ODM Unity
At the same time, Ruth Odinga called for urgent reconciliation within the ODM party, warning that ongoing internal divisions could weaken its political strength ahead of future elections.
She dismissed the emerging “Wantam” and “Tutam” camps within ODM, instead positioning herself firmly in what she described as the ideological path of her late brother Raila Odinga.
“We have been told not to say wantam or tutam, but I want to make it clear that for me, I am not in either wantam or tutam. I am in what we call Tam Raila Amollo Odinga,” she said.
Ruth urged party members and leaders to rise above factional politics and work towards rebuilding a united ODM, emphasising the need to preserve Raila Odinga’s political legacy.
“Raila Odinga led us with a legacy, and if we want to be good people, we should come together, the wantamers and tutamers. We must build one ODM,” she stated.
Her remarks come at a time when the party has been grappling with internal disagreements, with different camps jostling for influence over its direction.