Public service remains at the center of Winnie Odinga’s plans as she signals readiness to return to Kenya and work wherever the people feel she is needed. The EALA MP said her heart is still with Kenyans despite serving at a regional level, and she remains loyal to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and committed to youth representation.
Speaking during a night-time interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Winnie referred to remarks she made during the burial of her father, Raila Odinga, in Bondo.
“When called upon, I serve the country. I am serving at a regional level, but my heart always belongs in Kenya. Kenya owns my heart. And I would like to be back home with the people,” she said.
She dismissed reports that she was seeking a position from President William Ruto during the burial ceremony.
“I wasn’t asking for anything. I was telling him. But I would love to come back home,” she said.
Winnie explained that the role she takes up will depend on what Kenyans want.
Winnie Odinga and Raila Odinga Jnr during the burial of Raila Odinga. Photo Courtesy:
“If the people tell me they want me to be a local politician, perhaps an MCA, that is what I’ll do. If they tell me to work in different capacities, or go back to EALA, that is what I’ll do,” she said.
She also raised concern about the limited space given to young people in politics.
“Wherever young people have space, I am there. There are those who say one-term, those who say two-term, and I say young people are no-term because they never get a term to do anything in this country. Until that space is opened for more young Kenyans, I am ready to stand in the gap,” she said.
On ODM, Odinga rejected claims that newer political parties can guide her party on its direction. She said ODM’s 20-year history gives it experience and credibility.
“ODM is 20 years old. If a child is born 20 years ago, they are now in university. A party that started two years ago is still in kindergarten. Those are not the ones to tell us where we are,” she said.
She stressed that ODM belongs to its members, not just a few leaders.
“I am a lifetime member of ODM. I represent the people of Kenya in a regional parliament through my party. That cannot be questioned,” she added.
She also criticised the party for not fully using its organs, especially the National Delegates Conference.
“The party relies on only a few organs despite having many. This creates room for confusion and external pressure,” she said.
Speaking about her family, Winnie said she remains close to her brother and her mother, Ida Odinga, whose recent appointment as Kenya’s representative to UNEP she praised. She noted that her mother’s guidance shapes her life but does not control her choices.
On her visit to Kibera, Odinga said the area feels like home to her. “Kibera is a place we’ve been going. It’s home. We weren’t shielded from society; we grew up as part of it,” she said.