Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo has come to the defense of Winnie Odinga, urging Kenyans and political commentators to show compassion as the ODM leader’s daughter continues to mourn the loss of her father, Raila Odinga. Odhiambo dismissed claims that there is internal conflict within the Orange Democratic Movement, insisting that the tension being portrayed is exaggerated and insensitive to the emotional reality Winnie is facing.
Speaking during a weekend media interview, Odhiambo addressed growing discussions around Winnie’s political future and the pressures placed on her since the death of the former opposition chief. She said that many people seem to forget that behind the political spotlight is a young woman who was extremely close to her father and is now navigating grief in full public view. According to Odhiambo, expecting her to remain flawless, strong, and politically active during this period is both unrealistic and unfair. She emphasized that people must allow her the same space and humanity that anyone in mourning deserves.
Odhiambo recalled the bond Winnie shared with her father, describing it as one built on loyalty and deep affection. She noted that Winnie accompanied Raila everywhere, from political rallies to diplomatic missions, and that losing someone she was that close to would naturally take a heavy emotional toll. She added that even if Winnie were to say something out of frustration or grief, it should be understood within the context of the pain she is dealing with. Odhiambo framed her defense within cultural expectations as well, arguing that in Luo traditions, it is considered disrespectful and inappropriate to attack or criticize someone who is still in mourning. She urged fellow leaders and the public to remember this cultural principle.
Her remarks come after ODM member Robert Alai publicly questioned Winnie’s qualifications during the party’s recent 20th-anniversary celebration, a move that sparked backlash from party loyalists. Odhiambo strongly condemned Alai’s criticism, warning him against targeting Winnie during such a vulnerable time. She maintained that her reaction was not out of hostility but out of a need to protect someone who is grieving and who deserves empathy rather than political confrontation.
Odhiambo also addressed rumors that her defense of Winnie signaled divisions within ODM. She clarified that there is no internal war, calling the narrative a misinterpretation fuelled by unnecessary speculation. Instead, she encouraged unity within the party, reiterating that ODM remains stable and that its members should focus on maintaining solidarity rather than undermining one another.
Her message has reignited public conversations about the intersection between politics and personal grief, and the expectations placed on public figures—especially women—to remain strong even in moments of deep emotional hardship. Odhiambo’s call for compassion serves as a reminder that political responsibility should never overshadow basic human dignity.
In a political landscape often driven by rivalry and criticism, she urged Kenyans to remember that leaders, too, are human—and in this moment, Winnie Odinga simply needs space to heal.
IMAGE: MSN
