Emotions ran high and voices rose sharply inside the historic Capitol Hill offices on Wednesday as long-serving aides to the late Raila Odinga gathered for what became a tearful and contentious showdown over sweeping job cuts.
Five months after the former Prime Minister’s death on October 15, 2025, more than 90 staff members who once powered his formidable political machine found themselves facing abrupt dismissal. The closed-door meeting, held at the iconic Nairobi headquarters that long served as the nerve centre of Odinga’s operations, quickly descended into raw displays of grief and frustration.
Long-time employees—many who had dedicated decades to supporting Raila Odinga’s vision—broke down in tears as the restructuring unfolded. Tempers flared amid heated arguments over severance packages, unpaid pensions, and the abrupt end to careers built around loyalty to “Baba.”
Oburu Oginga, Raila’s brother and the current ODM party leader, is widely reported to be driving the changes as he consolidates control over both the late leader’s personal secretariat and the party’s broader machinery. The shake-up extends beyond Capitol Hill, affecting regional coordinators and grassroots operatives who once formed the backbone of ODM’s nationwide network.
Insiders described scenes of profound betrayal. “These were people who stood by Raila through every battle,” one source close to the meeting said. “To see them let go so suddenly, without proper recognition, feels like erasing his legacy.”
Adding to the turmoil, Capitol Hill itself has become a flashpoint. Reports indicate the premises have been largely secured and locked, with operations shifting to a more private location along Riverside Drive. Raila’s daughter, Winnie Odinga, is said to have played a key role in restricting access, further fuelling tensions within the family and party ranks.
The dismissals come against a backdrop of broader uncertainty in ODM. Legal disputes over the party’s National Delegates Conference, shifting political alliances, and questions about the future direction of the opposition movement have left supporters anxious about what comes next for the organisation Raila Odinga built over decades.
For many of the affected staff, the pain runs deeper than lost jobs. “This is not how we honour a man who fought for us all,” one aide reportedly shouted during the emotional exchanges.
As Kenya continues to grapple with the void left by Raila Odinga—one of the most influential figures in its post-independence history—the scenes at Capitol Hill serve as a stark reminder: transitions of power, even in mourning, are rarely without conflict.
The Orange Democratic Movement has yet to issue an official statement on the restructuring or the meeting’s fallout. Daily Nation will continue to follow developments in this unfolding story.
