'You have no capacity to advise me', CS Mbadi lashes out at Winnie Odinga

Mbadi, while reacting to comments made by EALA MP Winnie Odinga during a funeral service, said leaders should focus on governance issues rather than political rhetoric, adding that the country must adjust to a “post-Raila era.”

“In the Luo culture and customs, there is no terminology of a father or an uncle, they are all our fathers. If you don't have respect for a father, please respect the elderly,” Mbadi said.

“The only thing I said is that Raila has not been with us for six months. Roping his name is not going to help us. We must respect the leadership that is there," he added. 

Mbadi dismissed the criticism directed at him, saying he would not tolerate what he termed “petty and juvenile politics,” while defending his leadership credentials.

“Yesterday, I saw other people trying to advise me on how to be a minister for Finance. You can't. You have no capacity to advise me,” he said, citing his long political career within ODM and government."

“I have been ODM chairman under Raila for 10 years, Minority Leader for 5 years, Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, and now minister for two years," he added. 

Mbadi concluded by stating that he is ready for any political contestation, including higher leadership ambitions.

“I am ready to lead this country as the president. If you want to come to the field to fight me politically, I am ready,” he said.

His remarks triggered strong reactions from Winnie Odinga, who, while speaking at the funeral of Mama Teresa Nyaboke, the mother of Richard Onyonka, criticised government officials over rising economic hardship and accused them of failing to prioritise wananchi.

“Jana niliona bei ya mafuta imepanda. Juzi niliskia deni ya Kenya imepita Ksh.10 trillion. The economy is in bad shape. Vijana hawana kazi. Mabiashara zimefungwa na nyinyi hamna focus. You need to talk less and work more,” she remarked. 

Winnie further warned that the National Treasury office should not be treated as a political platform.

“The National Treasury is not a political office, it’s not a personal office, it’s not a platform for you to abuse us and talk to us however you want. Kazi ya hiyo ofisi ni kulinda thamani ya pesa ya wananchi,” she added.

The exchange also drew in Mama Ida Odinga, who defended the continued mention of the late opposition leader’s name in public discourse.

“We still hear his (Raila Odinga) name every day. There's no particular day I’ll switch on to listen to the news without hearing his name being mentioned,” she said.

“Sometimes politicians get very excited because they think he's gone and they are free. Nothing. We learn from them. This history that they've left behind, they are the living dead.”

During an ODM meeting, Mbadi had argued that ODM is not tied to any individual or family, insisting that the party’s future must be shaped by current leadership structures rather than references to its former leader.

“The problem which is going to hit ODM is not the splinter group, it is you and me who are here and are not sure where you want to go. It does not belong to one community… ODM doesn't belong to Siaya, where we have a governor trying to fight the senator,” he highlighted.

He went on to assert that political leadership in the party should not be inherited or personalised.

“It does not belong to a family. We have a party where someone is the sister of a party leader who thinks they can order us around, you cannot,” Mbadi stated.

The remarks have further intensified political tensions within ODM circles, highlighting growing divisions over leadership direction and the party’s future in the post-Raila political landscape.