Millie Odhiambo Demands Decorum For Ida, Winnie Amid ODM Internal Strife

By Kepher Otieno - Reporter

Kenya, 25 January 2026 - ODM is navigating one of its most delicate moments in years, struggling to balance internal unity, leadership transitions, and public perception following the passing of its long-time leader.

Amid this turbulence, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo has taken a firm stance, insisting that the late leader’s family — particularly Mama Ida and her daughter Winnie — must be treated with respect.

Speaking at a party event in Kisumu, Odhiambo made it clear that decorum and loyalty are non-negotiable.

“This is about respect — for Mama Ida, for Winnie, for the legacy of our party. There is no room for disrespect,” she said, signalling that insults or public undermining of the Odinga family will not be tolerated.

“We give them the respect they deserve, whether you like it or not.”

Her declaration comes as the party grapples with factional disputes and internal disagreements over direction and leadership.

Recent public spats among senior party officials, disagreements over candidate selection, and clashes over strategy have left ODM looking divided at a time when unity is most critical.

Within this context, Odhiambo’s call is both a warning and a unifying message: internal conflicts should not extend to the family seen as the party’s moral and historical anchor.

The timing is particularly significant. Mama Ida Odinga recently assumed a new advisory role within the party, a position that underscores her continuing influence in shaping policy and mentoring young leaders.

At the same time, Winnie Odinga has been emerging publicly as a voice of continuity, urging the party to stay true to its principles while navigating Kenya’s evolving political landscape.

Odhiambo’s defence of them reinforces the importance of safeguarding these figures from criticism that could destabilise the party internally.

Odhiambo did not mince words about the broader implications.

She urged party members to offer guidance and mentorship to younger leaders rather than resort to ridicule or public condemnation.

“Winnie is stepping into leadership in challenging times. Criticism should be constructive, not destructive,” she said, framing respect not just as a cultural value but as a political necessity.

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For ODM, this moment highlights the delicate balance between legacy and modernisation.

The party must integrate the Odinga family’s symbolic authority with the ambitions of a new generation of leaders, all while managing a restless base and mounting public scrutiny.

Odhiambo’s intervention serves as a reminder that respect for established figures can provide stability in times of uncertainty, even as debates over succession and strategy rage.

Politically, Odhiambo’s stance is a strategic move.

In publicly defending Mama Ida and Winnie, she positions herself as a mediator between competing factions, reinforcing the idea that the party can honour its history while adapting to current realities.

At the same time, it signals to the rank-and-file that personal attacks or factional bickering at the expense of party icons will not be tolerated.

As ODM navigates the post-Raila era, maintaining cohesion will be as important as policy or public messaging.

Respect for Mama Ida and Winnie is not just symbolic; it is a stabilising factor that could determine how successfully the party manages its internal dynamics and presents a united front to the electorate.

In the coming months, how ODM manages this balance — between legacy, leadership ambitions, and grassroots expectations — will likely define its political fortunes.

Odhiambo’s declaration makes one thing clear: in a party still finding its footing, respect for its founding family is not optional — it is essential for survival and relevance.