It Is Not Well’: Winnie Odinga Breaks Silence After ODM Ejects Edwin Sifuna in Mombasa Purge

 East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga has publicly expressed her dissatisfaction with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership following the dramatic ouster of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as Secretary-General.

In a tersely worded post on her Facebook page shortly after the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Mombasa on Wednesday evening, Odinga issued a stark verdict on the party’s decision. “It is not well,” she wrote .
Her reaction places her squarely in opposition to the sweeping changes implemented by the NEC, which was chaired by party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga. The committee removed Sifuna with immediate effect, citing concerns over “indiscipline” and a divergence from the party’s collective direction .
A History of Defending the ‘Rebels’

While Wednesday’s comment was brief, it is the latest chapter in Winnie Odinga’s increasingly vocal defence of Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino. Contrary to the party line that Sifuna’s exit was inevitable, Odinga has consistently framed the youthful lawmakers as the “present and future” of the party.
Just weeks ago, during a charged political engagement, she boldly pushed back against internal calls to sideline the outspoken duo. “Hakuna mtu atatolewa kwenye hii chama… wanasema tutoke kwenye chama watabaki na nani?” (No one will be kicked out of this party… they say we should leave, who will they remain with?) she posed, insisting that ODM belongs to its members, not a select few power brokers .

Her stance has been consistent since the passing of her father, former party leader Raila Odinga. In mid-January, she accused a “small clique” of grabbing the steering wheel of the party and threatening to eject those who asked critical questions. She declared that she stood with Sifuna and Owino, stating “Tuko pamoja” (We are together) .

The Underlying Rift
Winnie’s dissatisfaction runs deeper than the removal of a single official. She has been one of the most vocal critics of how the party leadership handled the transition period following Raila Odinga’s death.

Speaking on TOP MEDIAr’ in late January, she accused the party of a complete breakdown in constitutional fidelity. She argued that neither the NEC nor the Central Committee has the authority to act on behalf of the party without ratification by the National Delegates Convention (NDC)—a meeting the NEC has only now scheduled for March 27 .

“The party has not fulfilled its mandate in an open manner. Our party leader died, the party has not once come and addressed us as members to inform us our party leader has died,” she lamented at the time, accusing current office holders of “misrepresenting themselves” .

As Odinga signals dissent from within, Sifuna is preparing his counter-offensive. He has announced he will address the press on Thursday morning and has already scheduled the “Linda Mwananchi Tour” rally for Sunday in Kitengela—an event expected to be attended by heavyweights like Siaya Governor James Orengo and several MPs, setting the stage for a public showdown .

With Odinga declaring that the party is not well, and the NEC forging ahead with a withdrawal from the Azimio coalition and talks with UDA, the factional battle within ODM appears far from over