Winnie Odinga, the youngest daughter of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has hinted at her willingness to work with President William Ruto’s administration.
During her father’s funeral service in Bondo, Siaya County, on October 19, 2025, Winnie thanked the President for honouring her father and subtly declared she was “ready to return home.”
Her message, laced with gratitude and political undertones, ignited whispers of a possible alliance between the Odinga family and Ruto’s government, signaling a potential shift in Kenya’s political landscape.
Winnie Odinga’s Request To Ruto During Father’s Funeral
During the emotional farewell ceremony at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Winnie Odinga stood before the nation and delivered one of the most talked-about tributes of the day.
Her message was direct yet diplomatic. She praised President Ruto for the respect and honour shown to her father throughout the mourning period and during the state-led burial arrangements.
“Your Excellency, our people appreciate your honouring my father. Thank you for standing with us,” she said. “You should also know, in case you are wondering, I am ready to return home.”
The crowd reacted with thunderous applause, interpreting her words as more than mere appreciation. Many saw it as a political statement—a public signal that Winnie may be open to working with Ruto in the near future.
Observers noted that her phrase “return home” could symbolize a broader message of reconciliation between the ruling government and the Odinga family, long known for its opposition politics.
Winnie Odinga’s Political Role and Legacy
Winnie Odinga currently serves as a Member of Parliament in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), a position she secured through the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party. Her rise to prominence has been marked by a mix of youthful energy and her family’s strong political heritage.
Despite her relatively young political career, Winnie has shown boldness, mirroring her father’s defiant yet charismatic leadership style. Her subtle message to President Ruto reflects a potential new chapter in her journey — one that might bridge old political divides.
Analysts argue that her comments could also be part of a broader strategy to ensure her father’s Pan-African legacy continues within Kenya’s evolving political system. By reaching out to the President, Winnie may be positioning herself as a voice of unity and continuity within a polarized political climate.
Ruto’s Relationship With the Odinga Family
President Ruto’s presence at the funeral marked a rare moment of unity between two families who have stood on opposing political sides for decades. His respectful tone and state support for the burial arrangements were widely appreciated, particularly among ODM supporters.
Winnie’s public acknowledgment of Ruto’s gesture was therefore significant. It showed political maturity and recognition of the government’s role in giving her father a dignified send-off.
Sources close to the family revealed that Ruto’s administration worked closely with Raila’s family in coordinating funeral logistics—from the national mourning period to the transportation of Raila’s body to Bondo.
Such cooperation, analysts say, could pave the way for a thaw in relations between the President and Raila’s allies. Winnie’s statement, they believe, was a calculated and symbolic olive branch to the government, signaling readiness for dialogue and inclusion.
Ruth Odinga Recalls Raila’s Struggles and Final Wishes
During the same ceremony, Raila’s sister, Ruth Odinga, offered a deeply emotional account of the former Prime Minister’s turbulent life. She recounted the family’s painful experiences during former President Daniel arap Moi’s regime, when Raila was repeatedly detained and forced into exile in Norway.
“Raila became a refugee in Norway, staying with me,” she shared. “This was a strong man. The family has suffered. Mama Ida has suffered because imagine all those years living without your husband.”
Ruth further disclosed Raila’s final message to his family and ODM members before his death—a plea for unity within the party.
“He told me ODM must remain united; it must be strong. ODM belongs to all of us, not a few people who think they own it,” she said.
Her words underscored Raila’s lifelong commitment to unity and justice—principles that his daughter now seems eager to uphold, even if it means crossing traditional political lines.
A New Political Dawn for the Odinga Legacy
Winnie’s remarks have set off quiet conversations in political circles about the possible reconfiguration of Kenya’s opposition. Many believe she could emerge as a bridge between Raila’s ideals and Ruto’s government agenda.
Her open willingness to “return home” suggests not surrender but strategic engagement—a move that could redefine her political identity and extend her father’s influence beyond party lines.
As Kenya continues to mourn its longest-serving opposition leader, Winnie Odinga’s words remind the nation that the Odinga story may not end with Raila’s passing. Instead, it could mark the beginning of a new chapter—one where collaboration replaces rivalry and legacy transforms into leadership.
