The intensifying struggle for control of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has now spilled into the inner circles of Kenya’s most famous political family — the Kawuor clan of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
In an extraordinary move, clan elders publicly reprimanded Winnie Odinga and Raila Odinga Jr. for conduct they say undermines Senator Oburu Oginga, Raila Odinga’s elder brother and one of ODM’s senior figures.
The Kawuor family holds a unique place in Kenya’s political history. As the family of Jaramogi, the country’s first vice president and founding father of opposition politics, their voice carries significant moral and symbolic weight. Their intervention highlights the seriousness of the internal rift within ODM.
Traditionally, disputes within the Odinga family have been handled quietly, with clan elders mediating behind the scenes. This time, however, the tension has escalated to a level that could not be contained.
According to the clan’s statement, Winnie and Raila Jr. have engaged in political manoeuvres that sideline and disrespect Senator Oburu, who has long been seen as the institutional anchor of ODM within the family.
Oburu, a veteran of Parliament and key party strategist, is widely regarded as a custodian of Raila Odinga’s political legacy. Challenging his authority, the clan warns, threatens to destabilise the party.
The confrontation also reflects a generational and strategic divide. Winnie Odinga has become a vocal advocate for youth-driven politics and internal reforms, while Raila Jr. has been active behind the scenes shaping ODM’s organisational direction.
For the Kawuor clan, the situation is politically delicate. Any perception that the party leader favors one side risks fracturing both the family and ODM itself, raising concerns about unity and the future of the party.
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