How Winnie Odinga has emerged as new centre of gravity in Kenyan politics

When Raila Odinga, the most influential opposition figure in Kenya’s modern history died in October 2025, an unmistakable void opened in the country’s political landscape.

From the grief and uncertainty that followed, a new center of gravity has begun to take shape: his youngest daughter, Winnie Odinga who is no stranger to the public and currently serving as Kenya’s representative in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

Winnie’s voice has been clearer and her posture firmer each time she steps into the public arena, and her political instincts increasingly on display with many interpreting her emergence as a clear signal: the Odinga legacy is far from over.

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The former Prime Minister’s youngest daughter has become a public, authoritative voice whose every move is now being watched as a barometer of what the Odinga legacy becomes after Raila and continues to shape ODM.

Handling political differences with maturity, Winnie is quickly eclipsing veteran politicians who appear to have allowed emotions to blind their judgement and response to political differences.

At the burial of her aunt Beryl Odinga in Bondo on Saturday, December 6, Winnie calmly stepped up to recognise the presence of Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino after he was apparently ignored.

Her bold actions were appreciated by Babu Owino who remarked that Winnie was able to see through the dark heart behind the situation.

The period after the death of Raila saw ODM politicians emerge with divergent views on the party’s continued stay in the broad-based government arrangement and support for President Ruto in 2027, citing private conversations they claim to have had with the fallen leader.

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Amid the chaos, Winnie voiced it that Raila had been entrusted with the delicate task of managing the relationship with Ruto in the broad-based government.

With Raila’s exit, she proposed that the party leader should convene a National Delegates Convention to pick an individual who would step into the former Prime Minister’s shoes.

With others calling for the expulsion of persons critical of the broad-based government, Winnie has been measured and mature in her handling of the situation and has consistently called for unity while allowing divergent views to be heard.