Winnie Odinga has dismissed newer political parties as inexperienced and unqualified to lecture the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on its future, saying the party’s two decades of struggle give it authority and depth others lack.

Speaking during a night-time TV interview On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP said ODM remains a people’s movement, not a temporary political vehicle created for convenience. She said parties formed in recent years cannot compare themselves to ODM’s long history.

“ODM is 20 years old. If a child is born 20 years ago, they are now in university,” Winnie said. “A party that started two years ago is still in kindergarten. Those are not the ones to tell us where we are.”

Her remarks came amid renewed debate over ODM’s direction, internal divisions, and possible cooperation with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA). Odinga rejected the idea that ODM should rush into political deals, insisting that any major decision must follow party processes.

She said ODM belongs to its members, not a few individuals at the top.

“This party will have different opinions and different choices, but it belongs to the people,” she said. “We have never moved without them, and we will not start now.”

My loyalty is clear

Odinga also addressed questions about her own standing in the party. She said her loyalty to ODM should not be in doubt, noting that the party nominated her to EALA.

“I am a lifetime member of ODM,” she said. “I represent the people of Kenya in a regional parliament through my party. That cannot be questioned.”

Because EALA MPs do not represent specific constituencies, Odinga said she views all Kenyans as her electorate. She stressed that ODM decisions must pass through official party organs, especially the National Delegates Conference (NDC).

“If the party goes to an NDC and members decide on a direction, I will sleep peacefully knowing the people have spoken,” she said.

However, she criticised ODM for failing to fully use its structures. She said the party relies on only a few organs despite having many. This weakness, she argued, creates room for confusion and external pressure.