Winnie Odinga has shattered her tactical silence with a blistering attack on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership, alleging a systematic campaign of intimidation designed to silence critics of the party's deepening ties with the government.

In a move that threatens to rupture the 20-year-old party, the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP claimed that "dissenters" who question the current trajectory—widely seen as a slow-motion merger with President Ruto's UDA—are being targeted, sidelined, and threatened with disciplinary action. This marks a sharp escalation from her previous "fireworks" promise, signaling that the internal truce has officially collapsed.

The "Illegal" Transition

Winnie’s outburst is centered on the legitimacy of the current party officials. She argues that the leadership transition following her father's departure to the AU (and subsequent passing) has been handled in "boardrooms and dark alleys" rather than through the democratic structures of the party.

"You cannot inherit a movement," Winnie declared, indirectly targeting the faction led by her uncle, Senator Oburu Oginga, and the interim officials. "There is an active plot to intimidate those of us who believe ODM must remain an opposition party. They want to hand over the keys to the Palace without asking the owners—the members."

• The Demand: She has formally called for an immediate National Delegates Convention (NDC) to elect new officials, rejecting the current caretaker arrangement as "illegal and secretive."
• The Context: Her statement comes amid reports that ODM is finalizing a coalition agreement with UDA, a deal she views as a betrayal of the party's social democratic roots.
• The Stakes: Control over the ODM billions from the Political Parties Fund and, more importantly, the political base of the Luo Nyanza region ahead of 2027.

A Battle for the Soul of ODM

The allegations of intimidation are grave. Sources close to Winnie suggest that MPs opposed to the "broad-based government" deal have been removed from key committees and denied speaking slots at rallies. By going public, Winnie is positioning herself not just as a critic, but as the protector of the "original" ODM ideology.

This confrontation places her on a collision course with the party's old guard, who view the cooperation with the government as a pragmatic necessity for development. However, Winnie’s resonance with the Gen Z demographic and the radical base makes her a dangerous opponent to ignore.

"They think silence is weakness," she warned. "But when we speak, we speak for the millions who have been sold out." The demand for an NDC is now the battle line; if the leadership refuses, they risk a splinter; if they agree, they risk losing control to the rising tide of discontent.