For the recent past, East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga, the daughter of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has been making headlines after stepping out boldly following her father’s death, with an energy reminiscent of Raila Odinga in his prime.

She has openly called out the leadership of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) over the direction the party is taking ahead of the 2027 general election.

However, there appears to be more than meets the eye.

Her recent political posture may not be driven by empty rhetoric alone. It could very well be a calculated and strategic move aimed at positioning herself for a bigger role in government, maybe a Cabinet Secretary position, possibly to attract the attention of the appointing authority. In politics, nothing is accidental.

Message during Raila’s burial

Her speech during her father’s funeral spoke volumes. While delivering her eulogy, Winnie Odinga maintained a calm demeanour despite being visibly emotional.

She composed herself and delivered a powerful and touching tribute that repeatedly drew applause from mourners.

To many, this moment painted her as a reincarnation of her father.

Midway through her speech, she directly addressed the President, stating, “Mr President, I would want to come back to the country.”

This is not a statement to be taken lightly. If she had no interest in a government role, she would not have singled out the Head of State, the appointing authority, or mentioned him at all. She could have addressed her mother or the public instead. Like many politicians before her, this may have been a deliberate signal.

Denial that raises questions

Although Winnie Odinga later denied asking for a job during a subsequent interview, her explanation did little to dispel the speculation.

When pressed further by the interviewer, she appeared irritated, and her responses lacked clarity and depth. Key aspects of her statement remained unexplained, leaving more questions than answers.

Her defence that she was simply expressing a desire to return home and serve the people in whatever capacity they wished still points to political ambition.

Being “called upon to serve the country” does not happen in a vacuum; it happens through appointments and political goodwill.

It’s self-explanatory. When called upon to serve the country at the regional level, my heart always belongs in Kenya, and I would like to be back home with the people. I will do whatever the people want me to do. i was not asking him for a job; I was just telling him I would want to come back home

Careful choreographed criticism

Even her criticism of ODM leadership appears carefully choreographed. In public rallies, she openly takes on the party leadership under her uncle, Oburu Odinga.

Yet in sit-down interviews, she softens her stance, claiming she was taken out of context. This dual approach suggests a well-orchestrated strategy, possibly with family involvement, to avoid the perception that the Odinga family is openly pushing her forward.

Fence-sitting

The same pattern emerges in her position on the broad-based government. During public rallies, notably in Kibra and Kamukunji grounds, she appears opposed to it.

But in more serious interviews, she pivots, stating that the party is merely following the path Raila Odinga laid out and that her concern is only that things are done correctly.

She seems to be sitting on the fence but facing the government side, and soon she might walk straight into where she is facing.

Opposition dynamics

Historically, the easiest way to gain both public sympathy and government attention is to appear in opposition. Opposition politics offers more room for criticism and visibility. Winnie Odinga’s attacks on ODM leadership could therefore be a way to draw attention from both the party and the state – a gamble that may soon pay off.

Her statement at the funeral, “The king is dead; long live the crown,” may not have been symbolic alone. She appears eager to carry forward her father’s political legacy.

However, the EALA seat may be too small a platform for such ambitions.

She likely seeks a more visible national role that could launch her journey toward inheriting the political kingdom her father built over decades or fulfilling the dream he never achieved.

Aladwa backs Winnie Odinga

Makadara MP George Aladwa recently suggested that Winnie Odinga should be appointed as one of ODM’s deputy party leaders, possibly the fourth, given that the party currently has three.

Aladwa argued that she should fill the void left by Raila Odinga within Nairobi’s ODM delegate chapter, where Raila once played a key role, before pushing for her elevation within the party leadership.

Winnie Odinga is increasingly coming across as a child crying for a razor, and in Kenyan politics, such cries are often answered.

Political dynamics

In Kenyan politics, legacy, timing, and visibility matter. Winnie Odinga has all three on her side. Whether through ODM party leadership or a government appointment, it appears only a matter of time before her intentions crystallise into action.

The crown may not have been formally passed on yet, but the signs suggest the heir is already stepping forward.