Newspapers: More turmoil in ODM Winnie Odinga cultivates Oburu as he prepares for talks with Ruto

On Monday, January 19, the national newspapers reported extensively on the ongoing divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party leading up to the 2027 General Election.

Newspapers also reported on President William Ruto’s move to use the advice of economists who were advising the late former prime minister Raila Odinga in his economic dream of Singapore.

1. Daily Nation

The newspaper reported on the former vice president’s response Rigathi Gachagua about the whereabouts of the deputy leader of his DCP party, Cleophas Malala.

Speaking in Mombasa, Gachagua dismissed claims that his allies are leaving the DCP and joining the President’s camp William Ruto.

He explained that the former Kakamega senator, Cleophas Malala, is sick but will return soon to continue with party activities. He accused the government of spreading propaganda that Malala had left the DCP.

“The deputy leader of my party, Cleophas Malala, is sick. He is a brave and steadfast leader. He was in Kakamega during the Malala Super Cup, after that he caught a bad cold and asked for some rest to recover before returning to political activities. But Ruto’s propaganda team must spread rumors that someone has left,” said Gachagua.

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He said Malala would continue with political activities on Monday and insisted that those who had left her camp were government informants.

“We saw them. They were not my people; they belonged to President Ruto. It was only a matter of time before they announced their return home. They have not moved; they have only gone where they were supposed to be,” he said.

2. Nation Today

The Kiswahili newspaper reported about the strong statements of the Member of the East African Parliament (EALA), Winnie Odingaabout the future of the ODM party under the leadership of his uncle, Oburu Oginga.

Speaking in Kibra on Sunday, January 18, Winnie criticized some of the leaders of the party, accusing them of pushing personal political interests and deliberately isolating her.

He claimed that a certain group within the party has monopolized power, makes unilateral decisions without consultation and threatens critics with expulsion.

The daughter of the late former prime minister Raila Odinga warned that she will not remain silent when things go wrong within the party.

The EALA MP criticized the Oburu camp, which has been claiming that Raila abandoned his supporters in the integrated government.

“We say today: weep. Baba died just the other day. What is the hurry? Let’s talk first, let’s move forward together. Baba was not a blind follower. There was not a single day that Baba said he had left us. Those who claim that Baba told them something or other in secret are disrespecting him. Everything that Baba said he said openly in front of his people.” said Winnie.

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He called some ODM leaders blind followers who use the party to advance their personal interests, which he said are against the dreams of the party’s founders.

“There are people who never believed in Baba; they were just using him. Some of them were not there during the ODM struggle. Many of them used him for their personal interests and clearly do not understand what this party stands for. They talk a lot, and when we ask them they tell us to leave the party. If we all leave, who will remain? This party belongs to the people. I bring greetings from Babu Owino and Edwin Sifuna. We are together,” he said.

3. The Star

President William Ruto has become involved in the long-standing debate of Raila Odinga as part of his new efforts to achieve his dream of ‘Singapore’.

The President last week welcomed the team led by Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o at the Government House.

Ruto also marched with members of his Council of Economic Advisers during the meeting, signaling a convergence between government and opposition policy minds.

Nyong’o’s team consisted of Raila’s longtime correspondent Dennis Onyango, Prof Karuti Kanyinga, Prof Oduor Wanyande, Prof Michael Chege and George Omondi.

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Nyong’o’s team presented a detailed policy paper to the president outlining a road map to move Kenya ‘from a third world economy to a first world nation’.

Raila’s adviser, who for many years has created ODM policy positions, has often said that the problem with Kenya’s development is not lack of resources but weak planning and implementation.

4. The Standard

4. Scope The paper was about the recent Ugandan elections where President Yoweri Museveni was re-elected as the president of Uganda for the seventh term after getting 7, 944,772 votes (71.6%).

His closest rival, National Unity Forum (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, finished second with 2,741,238 votes, which is 24.72%.

In his statement on Sunday, January 18, President William Ruto congratulated Museveni for winning the seventh term after defeating the leader of the National Unity Forum (NUP) Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine.

“Following the official announcement of re-election as the President of the Republic of Uganda yesterday evening, January 17, 2026, I present, on behalf of the government and people of Kenya and on my own behalf, my sincere congratulations and best wishes to the honorable and distinguished people of Uganda,” Ruto said.