Kisumu Women Representative Ruth Odinga has dismissed claims of a rift between Winnie Odinga and Oburu Oginga as a coalition looms between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Speaking in an interview on January 21, 2026, the lawmaker addressed reports of family division after the death of the former Prime Minister and claims about the ODM coalition.
According to Odinga, the family remains united despite the opinions and issues that have arisen since Raila’s death.
“These were issues that were there even when Baba was alive, and he had promised to convene a caucus to address these issues,” said Odinga
She warned that “big money” is circulating within ODM to push the party into an early coalition agreement, urging caution and wider consultations with party members.
No Rift in the Odinga Family
Addressing the rising tension between Winnie Odinga and ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga, Ruth Odinga firmly dismissed the claims, stating that the Odinga family remains united.
Also Read: Revealed: ODM Was Already Broken Before Raila’s Death – [VIDEO]
She explained that what outsiders interpret as division is, in reality, the democratic culture that has always defined the family.
“We are a family that has remained united, and that unity is not about to die soon. What has been interpreted as ‘rift’ is the democratic space that we have enjoyed over the years. This means we cannot always agree, but we will always voice our contradicting opinions,” said Odinga
According to Ruth, open debate and the freedom to express contrasting views have long been part of the Odinga family’s political tradition, dating back to the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and the challenges currently facing ODM did not begin after Oburu Oginga assumed the party leadership but had existed even when Raila Odinga was alive.
“Our Party Leader, Hon Oburu Oginga, was given the crown at the height of grief. The differences we have been seeing of late did not start when Dr Oburu assumed office as Party Leader. These were issues that were there even when Baba was alive, and he had promised to convene a caucus to address these issues,” added Ruth Odinga.
Also Read: How to Join ODM Party, Membership Requirements, and Charges
Ruth Odinga Warns Over ‘Big Money’ and Early Coalitions
Beyond family matters, Ruth Odinga raised alarm over what she termed suspicious financial activity within ODM circles.
She questioned the source of large sums of money allegedly being used to pressure the party into entering a coalition agreement more than a year before the 2027 elections.
“But we are seeing a situation where a lot of money is flying around, and there appears to be a deliberate approach to commit the ODM party to a coalition agreement more than a year before the next general elections. Where is the money coming from? Is it in the Budget and Appropriations Committee at the National Assembly, and I know that the government has not given the ODM party money. So, where is all the money coming from? Those pushing for the ODM party to commit itself right now may be seeing the good in it,” stated Odinga.
ODM – UDA deal
Ruth Odinga’s remarks came in the wake of a looming pre-election pact between ODM and the ruling party, UDA. Already, President William Ruto has set the pace for the imminent political marriage ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ruto has maintained that he will honor the 10-point agenda agreed upon between him and the late Raila Odinga.
On January 21, Ruto received a briefing and progress update from the Committee on the Implementation of the Ten-Point Agenda and NADCO at State House, Nairobi.
“We are supporting the Committee on the Implementation of the Ten-Point Agenda and the National Dialogue Committee Report (COIN-10) to fully deliver on its mandate,” read part of Ruto’s statement.
UDA said that a joint Parliamentary Group would happen to take stock of the implementation process.
Winnie – Oburu beef
The Odinga family has come under sharp scrutiny after Raila’s daughter, Winnie, appeared to challenge or undermine the authority of her uncle, Oburu.
In a rally in Kibra Constituency, Winnie called out a section of ODM leaders for being opportunists.
She vowed that youthful leaders in ODM will not sit back and watch the party collapse.
Winnie held the meeting at the same venue that her uncle Oburu had hosted his inaugural Linda Ground rally.
Ruth Odinga is Raila Odinga’s sister and has maintained a hardline position regarding the ODM-UDA deal.
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