In a scathing rebuke of the country's emerging political outfits, Winnie Odinga has dismissed the "presumption" of young parties attempting to dictate the future of the 20-year-old Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Speaking to a gathering of youth leaders in Nairobi, Winnie drew a sharp line between "institutional memory" and "youthful noise." Her comments appear targeted at the flurry of new Gen Z-aligned movements and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) youth wing, both of which have been critical of ODM's recent maneuvers.

"We Are Not Agemates"

"You cannot come with a party registration certificate that is still drying and tell us how to run a movement that gave this country a new Constitution," Winnie asserted. "ODM is an institution. We have scars. You have hashtags."

The "young political parties" she refers to have been vocal in accusing ODM of abandoning its opposition role. They argue that ODM has become a "senior citizens' club" focused on retirement packages rather than reform. Winnie’s counter-attack is strategic: she is validating ODM’s history to shield it from current criticism.

• The Target: While she didn't name names, observers see this as a swipe at parties formed post-2022 that claim to represent the "new generation."
• The irony: Winnie herself represents the youth wing of ODM. By attacking other youth parties, she is consolidating her position as the sole legitimate voice of "organized" youth politics within the establishment.

The Burden of History

Winnie argued that a party that has survived four electoral defeats and multiple state crackdowns cannot be "planned for" by amateurs. She urged the young parties to "build their own houses" before throwing stones at the Orange House.

"We welcome competition," she noted, "but we do not welcome disrespect." The statement reinforces the Odinga family’s proprietary hold over the Luo Nyanza political machine, signalling that despite the leadership vacuum, the ODM brand will be fiercely defended against external takeovers.

As 2027 approaches, Winnie is drawing the battle lines: ODM may be old, but in her view, it is the only adult in the room.