Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has dismissed claims of a rift between Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga and EALA MP Winnie Odinga. She described the allegations as false and intended to cause division within the Odinga family.
Ruth, the elder sister of Oburu and aunt to Winnie, said the family has remained united despite differing political opinions. She insisted that the narrative of a family feud is being driven by external actors for political motives.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, January 21, Ruth explained the Odinga family lineage to dismiss misunderstandings. She noted that all family members are children of Oginga and grandchildren of Odinga.
“I am wondering who the Odingas and the Ogingas are, because what I know is that all of us are children of Oginga, our father was called Oginga, who was the son of Odinga,” she said. Ruth emphasized that divisions such as “Ogingas versus Odingas” are artificially created by outsiders.
Family Harmony After Raila Odinga’s Death
Ruth highlighted that the Odinga family has continued to live harmoniously following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in October last year. She stressed that internal disagreements are normal and should not be interpreted as a feud.
According to her, divergent political opinions between Oburu, who leads the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), and Winnie do not indicate disunity. Ruth added that the family has consistently maintained close ties despite generational differences.
The Kisumu Woman Representative said differences of opinion between older and younger members of the party are natural. She argued that every family member has the right to express their perspective without it being viewed as a rift.
“A difference in opinion between the elders in the party and the young ones does not necessarily mean there is a rift. Everyone has the right to express their opinion,” Ruth affirmed. She noted that such differences are common in both political and family contexts.
Rejecting Calls for Family Meeting
Ruth also dismissed calls for a family meeting to resolve the alleged tensions as mere rhetoric. She said such suggestions ignore the family’s internal mechanisms for maintaining harmony and misrepresent the situation.
She warned that these calls are being used by political actors to create a false impression of conflict within the Odinga family. Ruth stressed that the family does not require public intervention to manage its internal discussions.
Ruth attributed the perceived tensions within ODM to greed and impatience among some party members. She explained that a few individuals in the party seek to sell its ideals for personal gain rather than preserve the legacy of the founders.
According to her, these internal disputes are political and not familial. Ruth emphasized that focusing on party unity rather than alleged personal conflicts is essential for ODM’s future.
Winnie Odinga’s Criticism of Party Leadership
The clarification comes after Winnie Odinga criticized ODM leadership for misusing her father’s name. She argued that some party leaders prioritize personal gain over upholding the late Raila Odinga’s ideals.
“You can’t copy-paste Baba,” Winnie said, highlighting her concern that the party should honor her father’s legacy rather than exploit it. She suggested that leadership decisions should reflect broader party values and not individual ambitions.
Reports indicate that Winnie Odinga reportedly accused Oburu of making selfish decisions in the party. She suggested that some voices, especially those questioning the party’s trajectory, are being sidelined.
Ruth defended Oburu, saying that such accusations reflect political disagreements rather than family disunity. She reiterated that the family remains cohesive and committed to the party’s ideals despite publicized differences.
Emphasis on Family Unity
Ruth concluded by emphasizing the importance of family unity over political speculation. She encouraged ODM members and the public to focus on the party’s goals rather than misinterpreting internal discussions.
She reaffirmed that the Odinga family has mechanisms to manage differences without external interference. Ruth’s statements aimed to quash rumors and assure both family members and supporters of continued harmony.
Ruth urged media and political commentators to report accurately without inflating minor disagreements. She stated that the family remains united in honoring Raila Odinga’s legacy and guiding ODM’s future.
The Kisumu legislator called on party members to respect differences of opinion and maintain open dialogue. She said political disagreements should strengthen the party rather than create perceived divides.
Ruth Odinga’s statements underline the distinction between political disputes and family rifts. She insisted that while debate is healthy, it does not compromise the Odinga family’s cohesion or ODM’s stability.
She also encouraged citizens to understand the context of the comments made by family members within the political sphere. Ruth concluded that the Odinga family will continue supporting each other while allowing members to express their perspectives freely.
About The Author
