One year after Raila Odinga’s death, the battle to inherit his political legacy is taking shape on several fronts. Within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), divisions over the party’s relationship with President William Ruto’s government have deepened. Within the Odinga family, Raila’s children are beginning to make their own political moves.   

Raila’s daughter, Winnie Odinga, and his son, Raila Odinga Junior, have decided to follow in their late father’s political footsteps, specifically by inheriting Baba’s largest political base in Nairobi.   

Winnie, an East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP, has officially announced her intention to contest the Nairobi County Senate seat, saying she will pursue the position alongside the youth as she charts her political future.  

As Raila’s youngest daughter, she currently serves as a lawmaker in the Arusha-based legislative arm of the East African Community (EAC). She made the announcement at her father’s first anniversary celebration at Migwena Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County, on October 15, 2026.    

Raila Junior is eyeing the Kibra parliamentary seat and is actively building a political base in the constituency. His father dominated Kibra politics for more than two decades, serving as a Member of Parliament between 1992 and 2013. Raila described Kibra as his “political bedroom”, and the constituency was a strategic base that enabled him to make national statements against the government and announce his presidential bids.   

Raila Junior has engaged with Kibra residents over the past months, including youths and women, and has attended social gatherings, such as churches, to announce his political intentions.   

Shifts Within ODM    

Raila Odinga’s party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has been struggling to navigate an increasingly turbulent political landscape. Even the prospect of ODM departing from its long-standing tradition of fielding its own presidential candidate has raised questions about the party’s independence and political direction as the country heads towards the August 2027 General Election.  

Four months after Raila’s death, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna emerged as the first major casualty as ODM’s top brass cracked the whip against members who defied the party line to support President William Ruto’s broad-based government. Since then, the casualties have regrouped under the Linda Mwananchi banner, gaining momentum and capturing the country’s attention.   

A year after Raila’s demise, several former ODM members have found new political homes, including Sifuna’s Equitable Party, which has rebranded as the Linda Mwananchi movement; Babu Owino’s Mwananchi Party; Caleb Amisi’s People’s Renaissance Movement; and Dhadho Godhana’s Federal Party of Kenya. Siaya County Governor James Orengo has also been linked to the Liberal Party of Kenya.  

At the same time, ODM’s top brass continues to insist the party remains firm despite the turbulence within. Party Chairperson Gladys Wanga has compared the divisions to the aftermath of a large tree’s fall, which has provided shelter and sustenance to many.   

For the first time in its 21-year history, ODM will not field a presidential candidate in next year’s General Election; instead, it will seek a 50:50 power-sharing agreement with President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA). Party leader Dr. Oburu Odinga said ODM would support President Ruto’s presidential bid while negotiating for other positions. Deputy party leader Simba Arati has reinforced this position, insisting that the party must secure an equal share of power in the next government.  

Ruto Pushes for Consolidation 

Meanwhile, President Ruto is pushing hard to consolidate his support within Raila’s traditional political strongholds.   

The President’s intentions were evident even before Raila’s death. President Ruto entered into a power-sharing arrangement between his UDA party and Raila’s ODM outfit to sway the second-largest voting blocs in Western and Nyanza.  

The Head of State described himself as a student of Raila and reaffirmed his commitment to cooperation between ODM and his United Democratic Alliance (UDA), saying the two parties are partners, not rivals, in the broad-based government.  

The President has also pledged to support ODM’s growth and to ensure the party builds on its agenda in honour of the late Raila Odinga.