Winnie Odinga has distanced herself from the idea of running for an elective political office, emphasizing that her interests lie more in political strategy and communication than in frontline politics. Despite being raised in a politically influential family, she does not see herself fitting the traditional mold of a politician.
Throughout her life, Winnie has been immersed in politics, but she believes she lacks the traits commonly associated with successful politicians, such as the ability to mobilize large crowds or the aggressive tactics often employed to outmaneuver opponents. Instead, she prefers to work behind the scenes, where she can influence political decisions through strategy and insight rather than through the direct confrontation that characterizes much of frontline politics.
While she has received numerous invitations to consider running for office, Winnie feels that the timing is not right for such a move. She shared how difficult it can be to face supporters after pouring significant effort into a campaign, only to see no tangible results. The emotional toll of political losses has made her hesitant to step into the public spotlight. She expressed frustration with the ruthless nature of politics, noting that it often requires a certain degree of aggression and ego, traits that she finds unappealing.
Winnie admires the way her father, Raila Odinga, has handled the pressures of political life but acknowledged that the reality of politics is far more intense than it may seem from the outside. She is more interested in producing results through strategic actions rather than engaging in the cutthroat power struggles that often dominate political campaigns.
As a strategist, she is driven by the desire to create measurable outcomes. For Winnie, the satisfaction comes not from the pursuit of power itself, but from the ability to take action and see positive results emerge from that action. She is not drawn to the idea of being in a position where she would have to make laws or dictate how others should live their lives. Rather, she prefers to offer guidance and share her perspectives, helping to shape the direction of political discourse from behind the scenes.
Winnie’s stance on politics reflects her pragmatic approach to her role in the political landscape. While some may encourage her to step into the limelight, she remains firm in her belief that her contributions are best made away from the frontlines, where she can be more effective in influencing outcomes without being entangled in the often harsh realities of public office.
