Winnie Odinga says she's ready for ODM deputy party leader position

East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament Winnie Odinga has now expressed her interest in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) deputy party leader position ahead of the party’s National Delegates Convention (NDC) scheduled for March 27.

Odinga, who spoke on Tuesday hours after Nairobi party delegates endorsed her as a member in Kibra, told party supporters not to be intimidated, saying she is ready to face off with other contenders in the race for the influential post.

She said the party has come a long way and she would not abandon it after years of struggle to build and sustain it.

“The journey has not been easy and we have lost very many people, but we still have a long way to go. All this time, the people of Nairobi have been protesting. There are no protests in upcountry; the demonstrations have largely been in Nairobi,” she said.

“When it comes to party positions, those who have put their lives on the line should be the first to be considered. You cannot deny Nairobi its rightful place. Nairobi must have a seat.”

The ODM party is currently weathering a tough political storm pitting two camps with strong stances on party position ahead of the 2027 polls.

ODM Nairobi leaders, during the delegates’ meeting held at the JOOF offices, vowed to rally behind her candidacy in the upcoming contest.

Makadara MP George Aladwa, who led the delegates, said he would push for amendments to the party constitution to allow ODM to have four deputy party leaders.

Aladwa said the Nairobi delegates had settled on Winnie Odinga as their representative, linking the decision to the party’s top leadership structure.

“Tume endorse Winnie Odinga kama mwakilishi wetu na kama one of the deputy leaders wa nyadhifa ya juu,” Aladwa said.