By the 254.ke Newsroom.
Winnie Odinga, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) member and daughter of the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has said she will contest the Nairobi Senate seat in the 2027 General Election. She made the announcement on October 15, 2026, at the first anniversary memorial for her father, saying she sees an opening as incumbent Senator Edwin Sifuna eyes a higher office.
What did Winnie Odinga say about the Nairobi Senate seat?
Speaking at the memorial, Odinga addressed Sifuna directly. According to Citizen Digital, she said: “Let it not be a rumor that as Edwin Sifuna searches for higher offices I see kuna space, kuna nafasi hapo Nairobi.” Capital FM reported her saying, “I see there’s space, and that’s why I’ve decided that I’ll stand.”
She also said she would not be running alone. “I will not go alone, I will go with young people,” she said, adding that she wants more young Kenyans to seek office as governors, senators, MPs and MCAs.
Key facts at a glance
- Who: Winnie Odinga, EALA member elected in December 2022, with a term ending in December 2027
- Seat: Nairobi County Senator
- Election: 2027 General Election
- Announced: October 15, 2026, at the first anniversary memorial of Raila Odinga
- Incumbent: Edwin Sifuna, reported to be weighing a bid for higher office
- Party ticket: Not stated in the reports reviewed; no official ODM position has been reported
Why does the announcement matter?
On October 3, 2026, a section of the Luo Council of Elders symbolically recognised Odinga as her father’s political heir at Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya County, according to Capital FM. Rose Otumba, the Siaya council’s women’s representative, placed a traditional hat on her head. The gesture is cultural and political, not a formal party appointment.
The Kenya Times reports that Nairobi ODM delegates endorsed her in March 2026 as their number-one party delegate and backed her for ODM Deputy Party Leader, though she has not been confirmed in that role. Calls for her to take a bigger role in the party have grown since her father’s death, Capital FM noted.
Who else is eyeing the Nairobi Senate seat?
The field is already crowded, even though the election is about a year away. Reporting by The Kenya Times and Capital FM names several people:
- Phelix Odiwuor (Jalang’o): The Lang’ata MP declared in February 2026 and has said he intends to run through ODM or a coalition that includes it.
- Reuben Ndolo: The former Makadara MP expressed interest in October 2026.
- William Karuga Kimani (KRG The Don): The musician and businessman joined Mike Sonko’s National Economic Development Party in September 2026.
- Cecil Miller: A High Court advocate running under the Roots Party of Kenya.
- Ken Babu: A youth leader linked to the United Opposition who has positioned himself for the race.
- Crystal Asige: The nominated senator has been mentioned but has not confirmed a bid.
If both Odinga and Odiwuor seek the ODM ticket, a nomination contest could follow, Capital FM reported.
What happens next?
Party nominations come before the general election, and neither ODM nor the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced anything specific to this race in the reports reviewed. Sifuna has not yet said which office he will pursue. Readers can follow the official calendar on the IEBC website.
For background, see our coverage of the Raila Odinga anniversary memorial programme, Edwin Sifuna’s political positioning and the ODM divisions over 2027.
FAQ
Is Winnie Odinga running for Nairobi Senator in 2027?
Yes. She announced on October 15, 2026, that she will contest the Nairobi Senate seat in the 2027 General Election.
Who is the current Nairobi Senator?
Edwin Sifuna holds the seat. He is reported to be considering a bid for higher office in 2027.
Which party will Winnie Odinga run on?
None of the reports reviewed state her party for the Senate bid. Nairobi ODM delegates have endorsed her for party roles, but no official ODM position on the seat has been reported.
What is Winnie Odinga’s current job?
She is a Member of the East African Legislative Assembly, elected in December 2022 for a term ending in December 2027.
Sources: Citizen Digital, Capital FM, The Kenya Times, as of October 20, 2026.
