Millie Odhiambo Confronts Robert Alai Over Attack on Winnie Odinga at ODM@20 Event
Tensions flared at ODM’s 20th anniversary celebrations in Mombasa after Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo publicly rebuked Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai for disparaging Winnie Odinga, daughter of the late Raila Odinga.
Alai Questions Winnie Odinga’s Role, Sparks Backlash
During the November 15 event, Alai criticized Winnie Odinga’s speech, questioning her political experience and accusing senior ODM leaders of allowing her to “lecture” the party. His remarks ignited immediate backlash from party veterans.
Millie Odhiambo responded firmly on stage: “Alai, you like harassing women, but where Millie is, we will deal with you head-on.” She described Winnie as “the heart of Baba” and emphasized her symbolic importance to the Odinga family.
Cultural Insensitivity Amid Mourning Period
Odhiambo condemned Alai’s timing, noting it had been just one month since Raila Odinga’s death. “It is uncouth and uncultured to attack her while the family is still in mourning,” she said.
The feud spilled onto social media, with Alai linking Winnie to past claims that some ODM leaders were plotting to “sell the party.” Odhiambo shot back, accusing him of using coded language to attack Governor Gladys Wanga and other female leaders.
“You are used to attacking women and getting away with it,” she wrote. “Bring it on. I am waiting.”
Internal Rifts Surface at ODM Milestone Event
The clash exposed simmering divisions within ODM during its landmark anniversary. In another sign of unrest, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino questioned his exclusion from new leadership roles, hinting at dissatisfaction with the party’s post-Raila direction.
As ODM navigates unity under new leadership, the public spat underscores growing friction between old guard figures and newer voices in Kenya’s oldest opposition party.
