Ruth Odinga, John Mbadi Clash Over Post Raila Odinga ODM Leadership Direction

A sharp rift has emerged within the Orange Democratic Movement after Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga accused National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi of disrespecting the Odinga family and undermining the party’s historical leadership structure. Speaking during an ODM leaders’ meeting in Kilifi on May 4, Ruth Odinga said Mbadi—himself a former ODM national chairman—insulted her and the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who died in October last year. Raila was succeeded as party leader by his elder brother, Senator Oburu Odinga. Ruth claimed Mbadi told her that ODM “does not belong to the Odingas” and that no one should feel entitled to party leadership because of their family name. A video clip from the meeting also captured Mbadi saying Raila was “already dead and buried” and would not be giving political direction to the party. The two leaders further clashed over whether ODM should support President William Ruto’s broad based government. Ruth Odinga opposed the idea, insisting the party must remain independent and faithful to its founding principles. She also rejected calls to remove ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, who has aligned himself with a faction resisting cooperation with Ruto’s UDA ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The Sifuna led group includes Siaya Governor James Orengo, who has declared himself party leader, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino. Ruth dismissed claims that she leverages her family name for political advantage, saying her record speaks for itself. Ruth Odinga said that she rejected a direct party ticket in 2022 when several leaders were handed direct party tickets. She added that because of the Odinga name, she knew that a direct ticket would be the end of her political career. “So, I went to the party primaries, made a spirited campaign, and won. Then I faced other candidates at the general election,” Ruth Odinga said. The confrontation highlights deepening tensions within ODM as leaders jostle to shape the party’s future in the post Raila era.