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Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has accused Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi of making personal and offensive remarks about the Odinga family during an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) retreat held in Mombasa earlier this month.
In a statement posted on social media on Sunday, Ruth said tensions arose during the May 3 meeting when Mbadi allegedly questioned the influence of the Odinga family within the party.
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She claimed the former ODM chairman criticised what he described as a sense of entitlement linked to the Odinga name, insisting that the party does not belong to any family despite its historical association with the late Raila Odinga.
“I was surprised that when Treasury CS and immediate former ODM Chairman John Mbadi rose to speak, he chose to attack me as an Odinga,” Ruth said.
She further alleged that Mbadi stated ODM was not a family-owned party and that no one should feel entitled because of the Odinga name.
Ruth also claimed Mbadi made controversial remarks suggesting that Raila Odinga’s political influence had ended, adding that other leaders had invested heavily in sustaining the party.
According to her, Mbadi allegedly said Raila Odinga was “already dead and buried,” and implied that even if he were alive, his political impact would be limited.
The legislator said she was offended by the remarks, noting that she was the only Odinga family member present at the retreat. She dismissed claims that she uses her family name for political leverage or to influence party affairs.
Ruth, who says she is not aligned to any faction within ODM, further accused Mbadi of attempting to silence dissenting voices within the party due to his current government role.
She insisted that political loyalty and support cannot be enforced through pressure or intimidation.
“Yes, Raila is dead and buried like Mbadi said. But his followers are not dead, nor his ideology,” she said.
Ruth added that while Raila’s legacy can be inherited, political support must be earned through engagement rather than coercion.
She also reaffirmed her commitment to unity within ODM despite rising internal divisions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The lawmaker questioned whether criticism of the Odinga family was being used for political survival, suggesting that some leaders were targeting the family for personal advantage.
Mbadi has recently spoken about ODM’s future after Raila Odinga’s political exit, arguing that the party currently lacks a strong presidential candidate for 2027. He has also supported the idea of ODM backing President William Ruto’s re-election bid, saying the party may only be ready to field a serious presidential contender by 2032.
