A public dispute has emerged within ODM after Treasury CS John Mbadi and members of the Odinga family exchanged sharp remarks over the party’s leadership and future following the death of founder Raila Odinga.
The disagreement began after Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga called for unity and respect for leaders with different views in the party.
Her remarks drew a sharp response from Mbadi during an ODM activation meeting held last Monday, where he appeared to criticise leaders he accused of openly distancing themselves from the party leadership.
“An SG who said he will not be an SG to our party leader, that the party leader should look for another SG and you say the party should bring them back. Bring them where? I don’t sit in a party where people pretend,” Mbadi said.
The Treasury CS further told Ruth Odinga to respect the party’s current leadership, while highlighting the officials presently steering ODM affairs.
“If you are Baba’s sister respect us. If it were not for us Baba would not have been where he was. You must remember that Oburu is the party leader, Simba is DPL, Abdulswamad is DPL,” Mbadi said.
Mbadi’s comments took a more sensitive turn when he suggested the party needed to move forward in what he described as a post Raila era, remarks that sparked criticism from sections of the Odinga family and ODM supporters.
“We must manage the transition. Baba is no more. This is post Raila era now. You can’t keep telling us Baba said this, Baba said this. Where is that Baba now to tell us what he meant. It has been 6 months now,” Mbadi said.
Raila’s widow, Ida Odinga, later responded by urging party members to preserve and respect the late ODM leader’s legacy, saying his influence continued to shape the movement even after his death.
“So long as people remember you… he talks about the living dead. When he talks about the living dead, he talks about Raila, Jaramogi. Those people who left us but their spirit is here with us,” Ida said, while referencing writings by Prof Mbithi.
The disagreement intensified on Friday during the funeral service of Mama Teresa Nyaboke, mother of Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, where EALA MP Winnie Odinga and Ruth Odinga criticised Mbadi over his remarks.
“The National Treasury is not a political office, it is not a personal office. It is not a platform for you to insult and abuse us,” Winnie said.
Ruth Odinga also defended Raila’s influence within ODM and urged party leaders to pay attention to the views of grassroots supporters.
Mbadi later dismissed the criticism from Winnie Odinga, saying he would not engage in what he termed immature politics.
“First seek an elective position… We will not tolerate petty, small and juvenile politics… Kama unataka kuja kwa uwanja kupigana na mimi kisiasa, kuja kwa uwanja,” Mbadi said.
The public exchange has exposed growing divisions within ODM as the party adjusts to life after Raila Odinga and debates over its future leadership continue.
