Winnie Odinga’s entry into Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party politics and top leadership has taken shape in Nairobi, where county delegates have rallied behind her for the Deputy Party Leader position, marking a clear shift from her regional legislative role to active local political leadership within the party.
The endorsement, reached during a Tuesday’s meeting bringing together representatives from all seventeen constituencies in Nairobi, places the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament at the centre of ODM’s internal reorganisation ahead of the National Delegates Conference set for March 26 and 27.
Delegates said the move is aimed at restoring Nairobi’s voice in the party’s top ranks following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in 2025.
Makadara MP George Aladwa, who led the announcement, said the decision followed two months of consultations across the county.
“We have had several meetings in the last two months to look for a representative. Every region has representation in the party. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga left us with no representative in the Nairobi region. We as 17 constituencies in Nairobi County have proposed to have our EALA MP Winnie Odinga to represent us as deputy party leader.”
He added that the region had resolved to push for representation at the highest level of the party.
“We have had several meetings over the last two months where we decided that our region must be represented in the top leadership,” he said.
“When Baba left us, we had no representative, and that is why we, as the Nairobi County, have proposed EALA MP to represent us as one of the Deputy Party Leaders,” Aladwa added.
Winnie Odinga, who has largely operated at the regional level since her election to EALA in November 2022 and swearing-in in December the same year in Arusha, Tanzania, used the moment to signal her readiness to step into local party leadership, framing her entry as both personal and political.
“ODM ni nyumba yetu. Hii ni nyumba ambayo baba yangu alijenga. Mimi, Winnie Odinga, natoka hapa nikienda wapi?” she said.
“I woke up today not knowing I wil end up being endorsed to the ODM Deputy Party leader position. And I accept that I will be up for nomination for the position.”
She tied her bid to Nairobi’s political history within ODM, saying the city has long been at the centre of the party’s struggles and growth.
“Like they say the politics of ODM started in Nairobi. This is the house that my father built, why are you saying welcome home?”
“The jounrney has been long and we have alot of peoole who have died in protests. Nairobi has been the centre of protests which ODM participated.”
She added that those who have carried the party through difficult times should now take leadership positions.
“The people in Nairobi who have been in the frontline risking their lives should be in the frontline for this positions. Nairobi deserves a frontline seat in the party’s leadership.”
Her endorsement comes as ODM continues to adjust its leadership structure following the loss of Raila Odinga, with Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga having been backed as party leader in October 2025 following the death of Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
If approved at the upcoming National Delegates Conference, Winnie will take up one of the Deputy Party Leader positions, facing off with current holders including Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Ososti. Delegates say her entry not only fills the gap left in Nairobi’s representation but also signals the beginning of her journey into grassroots politics and influence within ODM’s top decision-making structures.
