Winnie Odinga defies uncle Oburu, backs Sifuna as ODM split deepens
By Kenneth Mwenda, February 12, 2026East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga stood firmly against her uncle, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Oginga, as she backed ousted Secretary General Edwin Sifuna at a press conference in Nairobi on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
After Sifuna was removed from his position on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Winnie took to social media, calling the removal not good.
“It is not well,” Winnie stated after the decision.
Winnie Odinga has of late been vocal against ODM’s leadership transition and direction since Raila Odinga’s death. In an interview on January 27, 2026, she described the process as unconstitutional and secretive, accusing a small clique of sidelining members, flouting the party constitution, and making decisions behind closed doors.
“The party has not fulfilled its mandate in an open manner. Our party leader died; the party has not once come and addressed us as members to inform us our party leader has died. They’ve picked a new team; the party has not once come to tell us they’ve picked a new team,” she said.
She questioned Oburu Oginga’s installation as party leader and insisted that NEC and Central Committee actions need NDC ratification.
“The Constitution of ODM says that no member of the Central Committee or the NEC is able to act on behalf of the party of ODM unless they’re ratified by the NDC,” she explained.
Winnie criticised NGC meetings and UDA talks during mourning as insensitive, yet defended her uncle personally:
“I think Dr. Oburu is a wonderful acting party leader in this transition period… he’s weathering the storm.”
She also dismissed newer parties lecturing ODM:
“ODM is 20 years old… A party that started two years ago is still in kindergarten.”
Winnie defends ODM unity
At a rally at Kamukunji Grounds in Kibra on January 18, 2026, Winnie roared and declared that no one would face expulsion from ODM. She dismissed threats and criticised opportunists who seized control after her father, Raila Odinga’s, death.
“On this journey, we were passengers, and Baba was the driver. One day, we woke up and were shocked. The driver had died. Slowly, some people moved to the front, grabbed the steering wheel, and pulled it in different directions,” she told the crowd.
“They pushed us, passengers, to the back. They forgot Baba died only yesterday. Why the rush? Stop the bus. Let us talk. Let us decide together and move forward.”
Winnie stressed that not all in ODM truly backed Raila.
“We see that not everyone among us who believed in Baba was genuine. Some were just using him,” she said.
This stance continued when she backed Edwin Sifuna at the February 12 press conference. Winnie joined Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo, Reuben Ndolo, Edwin Ngonga, Obadiah Barongo, Perpetual Mponjiwa, Brian Weke, Arafat from Vihiga, and Kilimani MCA Moses Ogeto to reject the party’s move.
Internal crisis
The press conference exposed ODM’s deep split four months after Raila’s death in October 2025. Sifuna attacked the Mombasa NEC meeting on February 11, where Oburu’s faction removed him, named Catherine Omanyo as acting secretary general, ousted Amisi as deputy organising secretary, and left the Azimio la Umoja coalition.
Sifuna called the action illegal.
“Let me state without fear of contradiction that this action is illegal, unprocedural and a blatant violation of the ODM Constitution as well as the principles of natural justice,” he said.
He denied any notice of charges.
“At no time have I been informed of any allegations against me, be they of indiscipline, insubordination or incompetence. Neither have I been invited to any hearing.”
He tied his removal to opposing President William Ruto’s re-election.
“My only crime is that I have refused and I oppose any plans and schemes within the party to support President William Ruto’s re-election,” Sifuna said, labelling the government expensive, divisive, incompetent and disastrous.
He highlighted his nine-year tenure.
“There is no single moment that Raila Odinga rebuked me in public in the discharge of my duties,” he added. “We will challenge every illegality in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion. Surrender is not an option.”
Osotsi claimed a hostile takeover and outside influence from Ruto.
“I am surprised that they went ahead and made very, very critical decisions of removing the Honourable Sifuna,” he said. “We will not allow him to have his way.”
Babu Owino slammed the Mombasa event as a kangaroo meeting.
“The illegal removal of Sifuna from office is not taken lightly by this team,” he said. “The only mistake Sifuna committed is to fight for the downtrodden, to fight for the forgotten in this society, to fight for jobs for our youth and to fight against the high cost of living.” He warned, “A line has been drawn.”
Amisi labelled it a coup. “I was removed as deputy organising secretary via a WhatsApp message,” he said.
“Our party constitution is clear. To remove a NEC member, it must be through a resolution of the NEC.” “This is a sad day. Democracy in ODM is on trial,” he added.
“You can kill ODM, but you can never kill the ideology of Baba Raila Odinga.”
Orengo endorsed Sifuna.
“As I stand here, the Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement is Senator Edwin Sifuna,” he declared.
“Do not be deluded or cheated.”