Suba South MP Millie Odhiambo fiercely defended Winnie Odinga, firing back at Robert Alai’s criticism over ODM’s future.

By Collins Wasike 

A political storm erupted following Winnie Odinga’s bold remarks during the ODM@20 celebrations in Mombasa, where she accused unnamed party insiders of plotting to “sell” the Orange Democratic Movement. Her passionate speech, invoking the party’s legacy of struggle and sacrifice, drew sharp backlash from Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, who dismissed her as inexperienced and unfit to shape ODM’s direction.

Alai’s comments sparked outrage among ODM loyalists, with Suba South MP Millie Odhiambo leading the charge in defense of Winnie. Speaking shortly after the event, Millie condemned Alai’s attack as “culturally insensitive and politically intolerable,” especially given Winnie’s recent loss of her father, Raila Odinga, the party’s founding leader.

“We will deal with you,” Millie warned Alai, accusing him of disrespecting a grieving woman and undermining the contributions of young leaders. She emphasized that Winnie’s voice represents a new generation within ODM, one that must be heard if the party is to remain relevant ahead of the 2027 elections.

Winnie, undeterred by the backlash, reiterated that ODM’s future “will not be discussed as pillow talk,” signaling her refusal to let backroom deals dictate the party’s trajectory.

The clash highlights growing tensions within ODM as it grapples with internal divisions and questions about its role in Kenya’s evolving political landscape. With senior leaders rallying behind Winnie, the party faces a critical moment of reckoning—balancing legacy with renewal, and unity with dissent.

As ODM charts its course forward, the voices of its youth, like Winnie’s, may prove pivotal in shaping its destiny. And Millie Odhiambo’s fiery defense signals that those voices won’t be silenced without a fight.