Winnie on Last Conversations With Raila
EALA MP Winnie Odinga has opened up about the heartfelt moments she shared with her father, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, in his final days.
During an interview on Tuesday, January 27, she shared a glimpse into their close relationship, her sorrow, and her commitment to carry on his legacy.
Winnie expressed that the conversations they had during his last days were incredibly personal, emphasizing that sharing those details would feel like a breach of respect.
“They were incredibly personal, and I believe it would be unfair to share those private conversations with the public. Not every discussion we had was meant for everyone to hear. The night before he passed away, we spent two hours in his room talking about everything,” she shared.
Winnie urged people not to assign statements or beliefs to the late party leader, emphasizing that such actions would dishonor his memory.
“There are many people who might say that the party leader has made certain statements. I believe it’s not their place to bring that up. It feels disrespectful to those who have passed, and I don’t think it’s right for me to discuss it,” she added.
Reflecting on their extensive professional and personal journey, Winnie shared that she collaborated closely with her father for 15 years, describing their bond as one filled with both challenges and respect, despite their differences.
“For the past 15 years, I’ve stood by his side, regardless of the circumstances. We share many similarities, but we also have our differences. We would challenge one another, test each other, and push each other to grow,” she continued.
Winnie opened up about the heavy emotional burden of losing her father, sharing that she’s still working through her grief with her family by her side.
“I think I’m doing the best I can, but it’s really tough living in a world without him. Some days I feel like I’m on top of a hill, and other days I’m deep in a valley. Thankfully, I have a strong support system in my family, and we’re all there for each other. Everyone is finding their new roles and responsibilities, which has brought us even closer together; we meet almost every day and chat regularly,” she said.
Winnie also shared her determination to carry on her father’s and grandfather’s vision, expressing her desire for her life’s work to embody the values they taught her.
“I want to honor my father’s legacy. I’ve walked this journey with him for a long time. I believe in him and the lessons he imparted to me. My goal is to keep improving the lives of as many people as I can. I believe in his vision, in my grandfather’s vision, and I’m committed to doing my best to honor that legacy,” she added.
At the same time, Winnie brushed off any rumors about a rift within the Odinga family, firmly rejecting the idea that political disagreements within the ODM Party have turned into personal conflicts.
She clarified that there’s no such conflict and that they intentionally keep political discussions out of family conversations.
“There’s no family feud. If there were, I doubt he’d be sharing that with me in public. He’s a funny guy; we talk about family stuff at home, but we don’t mix party issues with family discussions,” she explained.
Winnie emphasized that ODM leader Oburu Odinga fully supports her right to have her own opinions and insisted that their relationship remains strong and unaffected by political debates.
“I believe Oburu would be the first to stand up for my right to think differently. I love Dr. Oburu; he’s my only dad. I don’t understand why this has become such a big deal in the news. Our family is close-knit, and we have no issues at all,” she added.
When it comes to ODM’s leadership, Winnie praised Oburu’s role as the acting party leader, calling him a stabilizing force during a challenging transition for the party.
Winnie expressed her admiration for Dr. Oburu Oginga, calling him a fantastic acting party leader during this transitional phase.
“He’s really doing a great job of steadying the ship, which isn’t an easy task. Despite the challenges, he’s managing to weather the storm. He’s made it clear that he’s in a transitional role and is open to making room for younger leaders,” she added.
Winnie also took a moment to defend Oburu’s extensive political career, emphasizing that his legacy shouldn’t be overshadowed by internal party conflicts.
“My uncle has always shown determination, strength, and loyalty. I can assure you, at 82 years old, Winnie Odinga would never let his legacy be tarnished by a political tug of war. We’re thrilled to have him in this role; he truly is the best person for the job,” she stated.
Winnie on Last Conversations With Raila
