Wanga: ODM yet to receive proposal endorsing Winnie Odinga for deputy party leader role
By Mabonga Makhanu, March 19, 2026Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has stated that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has not received any formal communication of proposals from Nairobi delegates endorsing East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga for the Deputy Party Leader position.
While speaking during a presser at Chungwa House on Thursday, March 19, 2026, the outspoken leader commended the move by the Nairobi delegates, who recently convened under the stewardship of Makadara MP George Aladwa, saying that it is an indication that the party is vibrant.
She went ahead to specifically applaud Winnie Odinga, who, during the Nairobi delegates’ forum, stated that ODM is her home and nobody can welcome her back. Wanga continued to state that despite the party not having formally received the proposal from the Nairobi delegates, once it is received, the relevant party organs will handle it at that moment.
“Nairobi delegates met, and we are happy that the party is vibrant in Nairobi, and we are also happy that Winnie said that ODM is her home; nobody can welcome her home. We are yet to receive any formal communication; once they are received they will be dealt by the relevant party organs.”
This comes a day after Winnie Odinga was appointed as “Delegate Number One”, a post previously held by her late father, Raila Odinga. During the forum, she was also seconded to be Deputy Party Leader of the now troubled ODM, a decision that was expected to be ratified at the upcoming National Delegates Conference (NDC), which is scheduled to be held on March 27, 2026, at Jamhuri grounds.
Winnie’s deputy party leader’s push
The push for Winnie to replace her father as Nairobi delegate, or “Delegate Number One”, has been championed by George Aladwa for a long time. Aladwa had earlier, on January 4, 2026, called for Winnie’s ascension to the post, after which he would push for her to become Deputy Party Leader.
On the question of ODM being viewed as an Odinga family party—given that Oburu Odinga is now the party leader, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga is the Organising Secretary, and Winnie is set to join as Deputy Party Leader—Aladwa dismissed the claims.
He stated that these are independent individuals despite hailing from the same family, adding that family ties cannot bar anyone from holding a leadership position within the party.
Ososti’s reaction
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi also reacted to the push for Winnie to become deputy party leader. He said that although she has a democratic right to hold any leadership position within the party, there might be a sinister motive behind the push, aimed at justifying the legality of the upcoming NDC.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, on his side, 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.
Orengo’s comments on Winnie
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.