Gladys Wanga Demands Winnie Odinga Return Keys to Capitol Hill Office After Oburu Denied Access
Homa Bay Governor and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Chairperson Gladys Wanga has publicly called on Winnie Odinga to hand over the keys to the historic Capitol Hill office in Nairobi's Upper Hill area.
The demand follows reports that Winnie Odinga, daughter of the late Raila Odinga, has restricted access to the premises, preventing ODM Party Leader Dr. Oburu Oginga from using the facility for party activities. Sources close to the matter indicate that Winnie has instructed security to keep the building locked and guarded, effectively barring current ODM leadership from entry. This development has forced the party to relocate its operational base to a new office on Riverside Drive.
The Capitol Hill building, long synonymous with Raila Odinga's political nerve center, is reportedly privately owned by the Odinga family after Raila purchased the entire property. Insiders argue that this gives the family full control over its use, distinguishing it from official party assets. The denial of access to Oburu Oginga, Raila's elder brother and acting party leader following Raila's passing in late 2025, has intensified internal tensions within ODM. The dispute highlights ongoing succession struggles and factional divides since Raila's death, with debates over leadership legitimacy and party direction continuing to simmer.
Wanga's intervention underscores her staunch support for Oburu's leadership and efforts to maintain party unity amid these challenges. In related statements circulating on social media and public forums, she has emphasized respect for the current party structure and warned against actions that undermine it. The episode has sparked widespread discussion among ODM supporters, with some viewing it as a family matter over property rights, while others see it as a broader power contest threatening the party's cohesion. As ODM navigates this period of transition, calls for dialogue between the involved parties have grown to prevent further escalation.
