Video: Winnie says dad's death robbed her of life purpose, recalls last talk
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Winnie Odinga opened up about the profound impact of her father Raila Odinga's death on her sense of identity and direction
- She revealed that she is consulting widely on whether to contest in the 2027 General Election and in what capacity
- Winnie also reflected on her mother Ida Odinga's quiet strength and described Raila as someone who never held onto anger or resentment
Winnie Odinga has spoken candidly about the toll of losing her father, former ODM leader Raila Odinga, saying the October 2025 death fundamentally altered who she is and stripped her of the sense of purpose that had defined her adult life.
Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with Nigerian journalist Edmund Obilo, conducted approximately two weeks ago, Winnie described the aftermath of Raila's death from cardiac arrest in Kerala, India, on October 15, 2025, as a period of grief, recalibration, and quiet soul-searching.
Grief and the question of a political future
"The loss changed me fundamentally. It robbed me of my purpose on this earth," Winnie said, explaining that she had dedicated her life to her father's political vision and his sudden passing left everything uncertain. "And his sudden loss made the skies gray."
However, she refused to comment about the circumstances surrounding the former leader's death, despite consistent questions by opposition leaders.
" I can't answer that. I don't know. Till this day I'm not at peace. I can't confidently answer that question," she said, adding that the night before Raila's death, "I spent time with him in his room. He was lying on the bed. I was lying on another sort of bed this thing. We just talked and we just talked and laughed. We had managed to talk about everything. We were just chatting and laughing and just enjoying ourselves. I remember that night we were talking about what does Pan-Africanism look like in modern time?"
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When pressed on whether she had recovered, she was measured in her response. "I don't think anybody fully recovers after the death of a loved one," she said.
On the question of contesting in the 2027 General Election, Winnie said she is still gathering views from the public on whether to run, and if so, for which position.
She noted that for the first time in her adult life, she faces an election without her father's name on the ballot, giving her room to think independently about what she wants.
"For the first time in my life, I have choice and freedom to think about the things I want to do, the things I'm passionate about, the things that will bring me satisfaction," she said.
She also raised doubts about whether electoral politics remains the most effective vehicle for change, suggesting that if the route of politics "keeps you busy doing nothing, moving but not moving anywhere," then an alternative path may be worth considering.
Reflections on Ida Odinga and Raila's legacy
Winnie paid tribute to her mother, Ida Odinga, whom she described as a woman of "quiet power and strength and resilience" whose standard was always excellence.
She said Ida always maintained that she had not married a politician but an engineer, and that life had drawn the family into politics over time.
On Raila himself, Winnie said one of his most defining qualities was his inability to hold onto anger or resentment.
"He got over things quick, sometimes too quick for many people," she said, laughing. "He just wasn't that sort of person."
She also revealed that her loyalty to Arsenal Football Club began as a childhood decision made to avoid conflict with her brother Raila Junior, and later deepened when she was at boarding school during the club's famous Invincibles era of 2003.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.