Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has claimed that some individuals close to her late brother, Raila Odinga, took advantage of his generous and caring heart for their personal political gains.
Speaking in an interview with a local media outlet, Ruth explained that Raila’s compassionate personality made him vulnerable to manipulation by politicians who were driven by selfish interests. She noted that these individuals often used his name to push their own political ambitions, falsely claiming his endorsement to secure power and influence.
“What Kenyans and members of ODM should know is that there were some people around Raila who took advantage of his caring heart and would declare that he had endorsed them,” Ruth said.
Ruth added that Raila’s continental responsibilities during his tenure as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development limited his ability to closely monitor party activities, creating room for exploitation.
“Raila had focus inside and outside Kenya. And because he did not want these people to feel hurt, they would have their way,” she remarked.
Her comments come amid growing debate within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) over who should succeed Raila as party leader and as the political face of the Luo community.
While some leaders argue that Raila wished for ODM to cooperate with President William Ruto’s government ahead of the 2027 elections, others insist that the party must remain independent and field its own presidential candidate.
Ruth criticised ODM leaders supporting Ruto, clarifying that the broad-based partnership was only intended to stabilise the political environment until 2027.
“You cannot, as a member of the ODM party in the broad-based government, start shouting ‘Tutam.’ Our focus right now should be on strengthening the party,” she asserted.
Following Raila’s passing, his elder brother, Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, was appointed acting ODM party leader pending formal installation.
