TANDAO MEDIA.

East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament Winnie Odinga has reaffirmed her loyalty to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership under Oburu Odinga, dispelling speculation of internal divisions within the party and tensions within the Odinga family.

Speaking on Saturday during a public event in Gatanga, Murang’a County, Winnie emphasized her unwavering support for her uncle, Oburu Odinga, who assumed ODM’s top leadership following the death of party founder Raila Odinga.“The party leader is my uncle. There is no day I will be in a faction he is not in. He is the head of my family, and I am always with him,” she declared.Her remarks come amid growing speculation of a rift between the two, following earlier statements in which Winnie appeared to question Oburu’s leadership and called for a National Delegates Convention (NDC) to determine the party’s future direction.

Those comments had fueled rumors of a split between ODM’s so-called “broad-based” and “anti-broad-based” factions.However, Winnie downplayed the narrative of division, asserting that internal competition is a natural feature of any democratic political party.“Disagreements are part of politics. That doesn’t mean the party is falling apart,” she said. “Not everybody will think the same, and people are going to compete. Raila taught us what to do.”She reiterated that ODM remains united and committed to the ideals laid down by her late father, Raila Odinga, emphasizing that the party would field candidates in all elective positions in the 2027 general elections.

“The purpose of a political party is to capture power—all power. ODM must be competitive and field candidates everywhere. But that does not mean the party is divided,” she added.Winnie also criticized those considering leaving the party over internal disagreements, suggesting they had strayed from the principles instilled by Raila Odinga.Her comments follow Oburu Odinga’s recent statement expressing a desire to resolve any differences privately, describing their relationship as one of “father and daughter” and emphasizing the importance of internal dialogue.

The ODM party, which recently marked its 20th anniversary, has faced increased scrutiny over its leadership transition and future direction. Despite the speculation, both Winnie and Oburu appear intent on projecting unity and continuity within the party’s ranks.