Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai recently criticized Ruth Odinga, asserting that members of the Odinga family have profited from a political legacy that many ordinary supporters have struggled to defend. In a statement released on Sunday, May 10, 2026, Alai argued that Ruth Odinga benefited from her exile during the Moi era, claiming this experience provided her with opportunities and wealth while many opposition supporters faced poverty or even lost their lives.
“Ruth Odinga had the fortune to go into exile and leverage the Odinga name for wealth and exposure,” Alai remarked. He emphasized that many individuals suffered dire consequences, including death or lifelong poverty, due to their association with the Odinga family.
Alai also linked the prolonged underdevelopment in Luo Nyanza to the region’s historical alignment with opposition politics, stating, “Malaria, TB, and HIV-AIDS became the primary employers in Nyanza because of opposition politics. Schools like Maseno could not receive development funding due to this political stance.” He concluded by reminding Ruth of her fortunate circumstances.
These comments followed a provocative statement from Ruth Odinga, issued after an ODM retreat in Mombasa. In her remarks, Ruth accused Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi of disparaging the Odinga family during a meeting attended by senior ODM officials and leaders aligned with President William Ruto’s administration. Ruth claimed that Mbadi suggested the ODM party does not belong to the Odinga family and that carrying the Odinga name does not guarantee entitlement.
She described Mbadi’s comments as a direct attack on the Odinga family and defended the sacrifices the family has made over the years. “The history of the Odinga family is filled with sacrifices, not entitlements,” she asserted.
Reflecting on her own experiences, Ruth recounted the challenges she faced during her time in exile following the failed 1982 coup attempt, highlighting the state harassment and political persecution associated with the Odinga name. She recalled hosting Raila Odinga in Norway after his release from detention in the early 1990s, illustrating the family’s commitment to Kenya’s struggle for multiparty democracy.
Ruth accused certain ODM leaders of attempting to undermine the Odinga political legacy for personal gain and cabinet positions in the current government, stating, “Inheriting the party or anything else Raila Odinga left behind may be easier, but earning the support of his followers is essential.”
The exchange between Alai and Ruth highlights the growing divisions within ODM as the party navigates succession issues, internal factionalism, and its political identity in a post-Raila landscape. This dispute also underscores rising tensions between leaders advocating for cooperation with President Ruto’s administration and those who wish to maintain ODM’s traditional opposition stance.
