Raila Odinga Junior has spoken out clearly amid rising confusion in the Odinga family and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). On Friday, January 23, he said he is not a politician and does not want to be included in political disagreements within his family or the party.
The comments came shortly after President William Ruto named Mama Ida Odinga as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
This appointment surprised many people, including some members of the Odinga family, and sparked tension within the party.
In a message on social media, Raila Junior explained that he loves and respects everyone but does not consider himself a politician.
He said he reached out to his uncle, Oburu Oginga, who is the current leader of ODM and the head of the Odinga family. Oburu agreed to hold a family meeting on February 1, 2026, to talk about the recent issues.
Raila Junior also said he wished the meeting could happen sooner because of the concerns being talked about. He stressed that he did not know everything that was going on and asked people not to drag him into political fights.
Oburu Oginga, a long-time ODM leader and Raila Odinga’s older brother, called the meeting at a time when the party is facing strong disagreements over its future direction.
Some leaders in ODM want the party to continue working with President Ruto and his United Democratic Alliance (UDA), while others believe ODM should take a different path ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The disagreement has caused more strain because different family members and parts of the party are speaking in different voices.
For example, Winnie Odinga, Raila Junior’s sister, has been active in public debates and has urged party leaders to respect the founding values of ODM.
The planned family meeting is seen as a chance for key members to discuss both family and political questions.
Many observers believe that coming together now is important to prevent deeper divisions within the party and the Odinga family.
For many Kenyans, how this meeting goes could influence ODM’s unity and strength as it prepares for major elections next year.
ODM has been one of Kenya’s most influential political movements for decades, and its future direction matters to supporters across the country.
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