Winnie Odinga has sharply criticized what she described as arrogance and political intimidation by leaders in government, warning that powerful public offices such as the National Treasury should not be turned into personal political platforms.
Speaking during the funeral ceremony of the mother of Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka on Friday, May 15 amid escalating political tensions involving Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and members of the Odinga family, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP condemned the tone used by some leaders while addressing Kenyans.
“Viongozi hapa Kenya, sana sana wale wako kwa serikali, hawajui kuongea na watu. Kama wewe ni kiongozi, lazima uongee na watu na heshima,” Winnie said.
She criticized what she termed as threats and chest-thumping by leaders, adding: “Sio kila saa unakuja mbele yetu unasema ooh, nitakutisha, wewe nitakumaliza, wewe utaniona, nyinyi mtajua, hapana bana. We are also human beings. Sisi wote ni binadamu na ground ndio itasema.”
Winnie further shifted focus to the country’s economic challenges, accusing leaders in charge of the sector of prioritizing political fights over the struggles facing ordinary Kenyans.
“Jana niliona ya kwamba bei ya mafuta imepanda, juzi nilisikia deni ya Kenya imepita zaidi ya trillioni kumi,” she said. “The economy is in bad shape. Vijana hawana kazi, mabiashara kidogo kidogo zimefungwa, wakulima wanahangaika ju ya gharama ya mbolea, na nyinyi hamna focus. You need to talk less and work more.”
Winnie lectures CS Mbadi
In perhaps her strongest remarks, Winnie appeared to indirectly target Treasury Cabinet Secretary Mbadi’s conduct, insisting that the Treasury must remain a professional institution serving the public interest.
“The national treasury is not a political office. The National Treasury of the Republic of Kenya is not a personal office. Kenya is the largest economy in East and Central Africa, therefore our National Treasury is not a platform for you to abuse us and talk to us wherever you want,” she said. “Kazi ya hiyo ofisi ni kulinda thamani ya pesa ya wananchi.”
Although Winnie did not mention Mbadi by name, her comments come just days after a public fallout between the Treasury CS and Kisumu County Woman Representative Ruth Odinga over remarks allegedly made during an ODM retreat in Mombasa.
In a lengthy Facebook statement posted on May 10, Ruth accused Mbadi of disrespecting the Odinga family and downplaying the sacrifices they made during Kenya’s struggle for democracy.
She claimed Mbadi told party members that ODM “does not belong to the Odingas” and allegedly stated that “Raila Odinga was already dead and buried.”
Ruth defended the family’s political legacy, recounting years of exile, harassment and personal sacrifices linked to the Odinga name.
“The Odinga history is littered with sacrifices, not entitlements,” she wrote, arguing that the family had paid a “blood tax” for the freedoms enjoyed in Kenya today.
She also accused some leaders within ODM of using the Odinga name as a “punching bag” for political convenience and personal advancement.
Mbadi, however, rejected Ruth’s interpretation of the retreat discussions. In a statement posted on his X account, the CS accused her of distorting remarks made during what he described as a private party meeting.
“When we met in Mombasa for ODM retreat, the session provided a private moment for candid talk and introspection,” Mbadi said.
“I’m therefore surprised to see my sister Ruth Adhiambo Odinga distort my speech; something which could have entirely remained in-house since that’s what maturity demands.”
The exchange has exposed simmering tensions within ODM as debates intensify over the party’s future direction, internal unity and the influence of the Odinga political legacy in the post-Raila era.
