Another showdown as Winnie, Oburu set for parallel rallies in Nyanza

Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga and EALA MP Winnie Odinga. [File, Standard]

A showdown is looming in Nyanza today as ODM party leader Oburu Oginga and his niece Winnie Odinga host separate events in the region.

While Oburu will be leading a section of Luo leaders for a meeting in Ciala, the Saturday Standard has established that Winnie has organized a homecoming ceremony in Bondo.

Yesterday, party members were busy making the final touches to the events as Oburu's men pitched tent at Ciala resort where the rally is expected to take place.

Similarly, an aide of Winnie also confirmed that they were planning a political activity in Bondo but declined to issue additional details.

However, the Saturday Standard established that Raila Odinga's younger daughter was planning a major ceremony in Bondo.

Questions, however, remained whether President William  Ruto's appointment of her mother, Ida Odinga, as an Ambassador to UNEP could affect the rallies.

In Kisumu, Oburu met Governor Anyang' Nyong'o as part of the preparations for the political event.

Delegates who received invites to attend Oburu's meeting told The Saturday Standard that the meeting is a consultative meeting with various leaders from the county governments and county assemblies.

They claimed the purpose of the meeting is to provide direction to the entire Luo community.

The leaders will be discussing about the political future of the Luo community and the broad-based arrangement between ODM and UDA 

The idea to have the meeting came from the Luo MPs caucus which is known as 'duol'.

According to an invitation to Siaya MCAs, the meeting will be chaired by the party leader.

"You are hereby invited to a consultative meeting to be chaired by ODM Party Leader, this Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Ciala Resort, Kisumu. You are requested to be seated by 8.00 am," read the message in part.

According to the invite, all members are invited, party affiliation notwithstanding, which means it is open to all leaders including those from fringe parties.

County CECs from the region have also been invited to attend the meeting.

Although the larger Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family has downplayed claims that there is a supremacy contest between Winnie and Oburu, observers believe that Winnie is keen to reclaim her late father's party.

Early this week, Kisumu Woman Representative and Oburu's younger sister Ruth Odinga appeared to question the direction the party was going and described the talks with UDA as premature.

Last week, Winnie and Oburu held separate meetings in Kibra and Kakamega on the same day, with Winnie unleashing a wave of criticisms on how the party is being run.