For decades, a specific office on Capitol Hill was more than just a room with a view in Nairobi; it was the strategy hub, and the very heart of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). It was where political tides were turned and alliances were forged under the watchful eye of the late Raila Odinga. But the political ground in Kenya has shifted, and so has the seat of this influential party’s power.
A significant and quiet transition is underway. Party insiders reveal that the official party machinery, now led by Dr. Oburu Odinga, has ceased operations at the iconic Capitol Hill offices. The vibrant political energy that once filled those halls has dimmed, with the premises now standing largely inaccessible to the current ODM leadership.
Sources close to the family dynamics suggest a deliberate move to consolidate control. The once-open doors are now firmly shut, with instructions to secure the building coming from within the late Raila Odinga’s immediate family. It is understood that Winnie Odinga has been instrumental in ensuring the office remains off-limits to party officials, signaling a new era of guarded access to the family’s political legacy.
The reason for this change in access rights became clear with reports that the late Raila Odinga had personally acquired the entire building that houses the historic office. This move transforms the property from a symbolic party hub into a private family asset, effectively dissolving any official claim the ODM party had to the space.
Dr. Oburu’s challenges in anchoring the party’s operations extend beyond Capitol Hill. He has reportedly been denied the use of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF) grounds for party functions. The foundation’s gardens, recently renovated to host gatherings of up to a hundred people, were a favored venue for ODM events during Raila’s active leadership.
The situation is further complicated by the land’s history. The property, originally leased from Kenya Railways for over forty years, has been a cornerstone of the Odinga family’s presence in the area. Sources now allege that the purchase of the land had been finalized by Raila Odinga, placing it irrevocably under family control.
This series of events paints a picture of a political dynasty consolidating its personal assets while the operational command of the party migrates. The power center, it seems, is no longer a public-facing office on Capitol Hill, but a private residence on Riverside Drive, marking a new and more secluded chapter in ODM’s organizational structure.
