East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament (MP) Winnie Odinga has revealed what her late father, Raila Odinga, sought from President William Ruto during their handshake, dismissing claims that the deal was meant to secure personal political gains.
Speaking in an interview aired on Saturday, August 29, 2026, Winnie also rejected claims that Raila used the Gen Z protests to negotiate his way into government after losing the presidential election.
She said Raila’s discussions with Ruto centred on a 10-point agreement aimed at addressing some of the issues behind the unrest, including electoral reforms, human rights, compensation for victims of violence and preparations for the next election.
Instead, she cited rising living costs and perceptions of excessive wealth accumulation by government officials as some of the grievances that fuelled the protests.
“As you know, we had the Gen Z protests two years ago. And that was built on anger from mismanagement, or what people felt was mismanagement, of the country. High rising costs and what seemed like massive acquiring of wealth by those in the government. And once the protest broke out, it was chaos. But people were fighting against fundamental issues,” Winnie said.
Winnie Odinga Explains Why Handshake Happened
According to Winnie, Raila drafted the 10-point agreement to address what he viewed as the fundamental issues behind the unrest.
“These things needed structural issues. These things needed us to come together in order to solve them,” she said.
Winnie said the protests were not limited to young people, arguing that they spread across the country even though Gen Z protesters were particularly effective in organizing online.
She said the unrest raised concerns within Raila that the country could reach a point where the stability of the nation was threatened.
Winnie Odinga said Raila’s concern was not about securing a personal political benefit but about understanding what had pushed citizens to the point of rejecting civilian leadership.
Raila Did Not Sponsor Protests
Winnie also dismissed claims that Raila sponsored or organized the Gen Z protests. She said her father was not involved in sponsoring or organizing the demonstrations.
EALA MP argued that Raila helped prevent the country from reaching a more serious breaking point, saying he saved the nation from reaching such a point but did not save the state.
She also rejected suggestions that Raila negotiated with Ruto in exchange for positions in government, saying he received nothing in return and instead offered solutions.
On the appointment of some of Raila’s allies to Ruto’s Cabinet, Winnie dismissed suggestions that the appointments formed the basis of the agreement, saying her father did not negotiate to end the protests in exchange for four Cabinet positions.
Winnie Seeks Uhuru’s Advice
EALA MP also revealed that she intends to meet former President Uhuru Kenyatta for guidance as she navigates her political future.
When asked whether she would seek Uhuru’s support, Winnie said she wanted to meet him for advice.
Winnie Odinga said she did not consider herself to have political enemies and had not inherited the political rivalries associated with her father.
“I’ll definitely meet him for guidance and advice. I don’t have beef with anybody. I don’t have a mortal enemy. I’ve not inherited enemies,” she said.
She added that she was instead seeking to build relationships with people close to her father.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.