ODM rift deepens as Mbadi clashes with Ruth, Winnie and Ida Odinga over ‘post Raila era’ remarks

The latest exchange was triggered by Ruth’s appeal for tolerance within the party, remarks that drew a sharp response from Mbadi during an ODM activation event last Monday.

Mbadi questioned calls to “bring back” those he said had publicly threatened to quit, in comments interpreted as a swipe at Sifuna.

“An SG who said he will not be an SG to our party leader… that the party leader should look for another SG and you say the party should bring them back. Bring them where? I don’t sit in a party where people pretend,” Mbadi said.

He escalated his remarks by telling Ruth to “respect” party officials, while naming ODM’s current top leadership.

“If you are Baba’s sister respect us. If it were not for us Baba would not have been where he was. You must remember that Oburu is the party leader, Simba is DPL, Abdulswamad is DPL,” Mbadi said.

In further comments that angered the Odinga family, Mbadi appeared to suggest the party must chart a new path following the death of ODM founder Raila Odinga.

“We must manage the transition. Baba is no more. This is post Raila era now. You can’t keep telling us Baba said this, Baba said this. Where is that Baba now to tell us what he meant. It has been 6 months now,” Mbadi said.

Raila’s widow, Ida Odinga, who is Kenya’s ambassador and permanent representative to UNEP, responded by calling on party members to honour Raila’s legacy.

“So long as people remember you… he talks about the living dead… When he talks about the living dead, he talks about Raila, Jaramogi… those people who left us but their spirit is here with us,” Ida said, citing Prof Mbithi’s writings.

On Friday, EALA MP Winnie Odinga and Ruth Odinga sustained their criticism of Mbadi while speaking at the funeral service of Mama Teresa Nyaboke, the mother of Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka.

“The National Treasury is not a political office, it is not a personal office. It is not a platform for you to insult and abuse us,” Winnie said.

Ruth also defended Raila’s place in ODM’s identity and told party leaders to listen to grassroots members.

In a later rejoinder, Mbadi dismissed Winnie’s remarks, saying he was not ready to engage in what he termed “juvenile politics”.

“First seek an elective position… We will not tolerate petty, small and juvenile politics… Kama unataka kuja kwa uwwanja kupigana na mimi kisiasa, kuja kwa uwwanja,” Mbadi said.

The exchange has underscored growing tensions within ODM, months after the death of its founder