Winnie Odinga, daughter to Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga now says her father’s name ‘Odinga’ has been the source of her persecution.
Speaking during Citizen TV’s News Night Show on Tuesday, November 15, the 32-year-old said she has suffered for being the last-born daughter from an influential political family.
She said while the name Odinga has enabled her to travel throughout the world, Winnie said being associated with her father’s name has disadvantaged her because certain people don’t want her to walk through the door.
“The name Odinga has gotten me many things. It has gotten me into trouble, abused, blamed for many things, and persecuted. The name Odinga does not define Winnie,” she said.
Her comments come at a time when a section of leaders allied to President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party have been opposing the nomination of Winnie Odinga to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
For instance, on Tuesday, November 15, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, faulted Raila’s daughter for using her second-name Odinga as a ticket to climb the ladder of leadership.
“Winnie Odinga wants to be an EALA member simply because of her second name, just like Kalonzo’s son. They should stop lecturing us about democracy when they practice the worst form of it,” Cherargei asserted.
Cherargei’s comments were corroborated by lawyer Miguna Miguna who said that Winni was not qualified to represent the country at the Arusha-based parliament.
Miguna, in a statement on his official Twitter, said the only qualification Winnie had was that she identified herself with her father’s name.
“Winnie Odinga is not qualified to be a member of EALA. Using the last name ‘Odinga’ as an ornament is not a qualification for public office,” lawyer Miguna Miguna said.