BONDO, 19 October 2026 -Following the first anniversary of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, his younger brother Omondi Odinga has dismissed claims that the Odinga family feels entitled to political leadership or imposes itself on Kenyans.
In a statement released on Monday evening from Kang’o ka Jaramogi, Omondi said the family had never forced itself on the public in more than 70 years of public service.
He cited history, noting that Jaramogi Oginga Odinga declined to take leadership in 1961 until Jomo Kenyatta was released from detention, while Raila Odinga earned public support through years of detention and struggle for multiparty democracy. He added that current ODM Party Leader Dr Oburu Oginga assumed his role through internal party processes.
Omondi criticised what he described as targeted attacks by bloggers and political opportunists who amplify internal disagreements within the family. He expressed concern that young Kenyans, particularly Gen Z on social media, had been drawn into attacks against the family.
“The mission is deeper than criticism. It is an attempt to break the historical anchor that has held the Luo community together,” the statement read, titled Reclaiming the Crucible of Statesmanship.
On the disruptions witnessed at Migwena Cultural Grounds on 15 October, Omondi apologised to President William Ruto, national leaders and Kenyans, saying the heckling and chaos did not reflect the values of Jaramogi and Raila.
He thanked all who attended the anniversary events at Kang’o ka Jaramogi, including ODM members, government officials and clergy, and thanked President Ruto for supporting the construction of Raila’s mausoleum.
Omondi reaffirmed the family’s support for the broad-based government and called for the implementation of development projects linked to Raila’s vision, including transport networks, Special Economic Zones and energy projects, under the Ten-Point Agenda agreed between Raila and President Ruto.
He urged President Ruto to work closely with Dr Oburu and to protect the legacies of both Jaramogi and Raila.
President Ruto is behind all the attacks on Odinga family,he is using those that are now throwing words on Odinga family,the best remedy is to come out of coalition with Ruto ,he is pretender and a bad man he wants to finish Luo’s kindly fellow tribesen and women fly away