Winnie Odinga is rising as a major force in Kenya’s ODM party, challenging its leadership and alliance with President Ruto, sparking internal conflict.

Winnie Odinga, daughter of late Kenyan leader Raila Odinga, has emerged as a key figure in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), delivering strong speeches at the party’s 20th anniversary and her father’s funeral. She has challenged current leadership, questioned the management of ODM’s alliance with President William Ruto’s government, and called for a National Delegates Conference to elect a new leader. Her rise intensifies internal divisions within ODM, split between those supporting continued cooperation with Ruto and those fearing compromise. As her uncle Oburu Oginga, now 82, faces growing pressure, Winnie’s growing influence signals a pivotal moment in the party’s struggle to define its future amid factional tensions.