Piece by: THE STAR TEAM

07 November 2022

• If approved by the joint team of Senate and National Assembly members vetting the list, Winnie will be the second member of the Odinga family to represent the country at the regional parliament.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s last born daughter Winnie has joined politics and is amongst big names seeking to represent Kenya at the East Africa Legislative Assembly.

The Star has been reliably informed that the scion of the ODM boss beat the November 2 applications deadline for the regional parliament.

The move by Odinga’s daughter now sparks debate about possible Raila succession plans.

Winnie – the most politically active member of the Odinga family – is touted as a possible successor to the veteran opposition chief should he decide to hang his boots after his fifth unsuccessful presidential run in August.

“Yes, she (Winnie) is among the applicants and will be one of the candidates our party will consider when the list will be finally referred to the political parties,” a senior ODM MP aware of the goings-on told the Star.

By coming out boldly to represent the country at the regional Parliament, pundits argue that is the clearest indication that the 31-year-old is considering taking over from her father who has dominated the country’s political scene for decades.

Winnie is, however, not entirely a newbie to politics and has been instrumental in her father’s presidential campaigns especially in the last two elections – 2017 and 2022.

She was pivotal in rallying the youth behind Azimio, something she did with zeal and zest sometimes getting at loggerheads with a number of Raila’s allies.

If approved by the joint team of Senate and National Assembly members vetting the list, Winnie will be the second member of the Odinga family to represent the country at the regional parliament.

Her uncle Dr Oburu Oginga, who is the present Siaya senator, was a member of the fourth Eala parliament.

We called several times and sent WhatsApp messages to Winnie's number but she was yet to respond by press time.

In a telling tweet last month, Azimio spokesperson Prof Makau Mutua, a known Odinga confidante, appeared to open the lid on Winnie’s next move.

This was after he called on Kenyans to support the budding political force, terming her "a young woman in politics".

He urged all Kenyans to mentor her instead of their incessant bashing over allegations bordering on how ODM handled the recent general election.

“Those who’ve been attacking Winnie Odinga should cease and desist. She’s a young woman in politics. A man in her shoes wouldn’t be so pilloried. Winnie got talent, but advice and mentorship will be key. Let’s support our young, not “eat” them,” Makau tweeted.

Apart from Rosemary Odinga, who expressed interest in the Kibra seat in 2017 before bolting out due to ill health, none of Raila’s children has expressed interest in any elective seat.

ODM has two slots at the Eala parliament and is expected to present six names to the joint committee for vetting and eventual approval by the House.

Wiper and Jubilee – all Azimio affiliates – have a slot each in the regional legislature.

Out of the nine positions, UDA will get the highest number, followed by ODM.

Jointly, the parties will propose 27 names to the committee for vetting and a vote will be taken in the two Houses to pick nine names that will represent the country in the regional assembly.

Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi on Sunday told the Star that the House leadership will on Monday get briefed on the list.

“We are meeting tomorrow (Monday) as leadership for briefing at Clerk’s office,” Wandayi said, however declining to respond to our question on Winnie’s candidature.

Other big names that had also expressed interest in the lucrative EALA assembly include former Kieni MP Kanini Kega (Jubilee) and Kalonzo’s son Kennedy Musyoka (Wiper).

Gem politician Jalang’o Midiwo (ODM), ex-Tiaty MP Asman Kamama, Kanu secretary general Nick Salat and former Kipkelion MP Magerer Langat (UDA) have also applied for the nine slots.

Others who have tendered their applications are ODM treasurer Timothy Bosire, former Nandi Woman Representative Zipporah Kering (UDA), Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni (Jubilee) and former Taita Taveta MP Naomi Shaban.

"I am hoping that Jubilee will consider my application so that I contest and win this post. I have a strong CV and I believe I will add value should I win," Shaban told the Star on Sunday.

Kega, who was among the casualties of the UDA wave in Mt Kenya, said his decision to join the Eala race was after broad consultations and “soul searching”.

“After intense consultations and deep soul searching I have decided to offer myself for nomination through Jubilee/Azimio Party for the EALA MP position.

I believe I have the requisite qualifications and experience to represent our great Nation in the East Africa Legislative Assembly.”the politician said.

The joint committee to vet nominees to the East Africa Legislative Assembly is co-chaired by Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo and Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia.

The 14-member panel will on Monday at 11am brief the joint House leadership on the applications as it races against time to hold elections by November 17.

Among those sitting in the committee from the Senate are Rachael Michera (nominated), Joyce Korir (nominated), Joseph Kamau (nominated), Beatrice Akinyi, Mohamed Chute (Marsabit), and Miraj Abdullahi.

From the National Assembly, the members are Makali Mulu (Kitui Central), Sabina Chege (nominated), John Mutunga (Tigania West), Daniel Epuyo (Turkana West), Francis Sigei (Sotik), and Ruth Odinga (Kisumu).

The joint committee is tasked with determining how the nine slots will be shared out among the parliamentary parties.

Rules establishing the committee say it considers the names and nomination papers of the duly nominated candidates and addresses complaints.

The team is also empowered to invite the respective nominees to verify any information affecting their qualification to vie for elections under the EALA rules.

The committee has the power to reject the papers of a candidate “if it is apparent from the contents of the papers that the candidate is not qualified to vie for election.”

Contacted on phone, Maanzo on Thursday said his committee was yet to get a briefing from the secretariat that was receiving applications.

“The secretariat has not briefed us, after that there are going to be nominations by political parties by November 9. As soon as we get the list we shall share,” Maanzo said.

The list for the independents will be looked at to see if it is compliant after that Majority and Minority will be briefed.

At the end of the day we will have elections by November 17 and then they will report one month later.”

According to the Gazette Notice, the nomination day will be on Wednesday next week.

However, those who seek election as independent candidates will present their nomination papers to the presiding officers on November 9 at the County Hall, and Parliament Buildings.

Upon nomination, members of the public will be given two days following the nomination to inspect the nomination papers.

One of the requirements for Eala is that one must be Kenyan citizen qualified to be elected as an MP and not hold office as Cabinet Secretary or an officer in the service of the East African Community.

The interested persons must also demonstrate proven experience in consolidating and furthering the aims and objectives of the community.