It's Not EALA- Winnie Odinga On Her Main Source Of Income

East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament (MP) Winnie Odinga has a primary source of income, and surprisingly, it is not the Arusha-based Parliament role.

Speaking in Karen on Wednesday, April 5 during a luncheon to commemorate the one-year anniversary of beauty brand Phoina Beauty, Odinga revealed that she derives her main source of income in digital communications, where she runs a digital firm.

She described her previous roles as a photographer and a writer who has also managed campaigns as well as travelled the world to network with all kinds of people ranging from the common folk to world leaders.

"I have been around the world; I have met kings, queens, celebrities and world leaders. I have been a photographer in my past life, a campaign manager, and a writer, and now I'm a CEO of a digital communication firm," she disclosed.

According to her, the EALA MP job is like a side hustle, even though this comes with a monthly salary of Ksh1.4 million.

"I do this side gig where I am the youngest female MP for Kenya in the East Africa Legislative Assembly," she went on.

While celebrating the rise of Phoina Beauty, owned by Kenyan make-up artist turned-female entrepreneur Phoina Tosha, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's youngest daughter highlighted that it is important for all women, from all walks of life, to have self-confidence as well as competence to succeed in life.

"We (women) are the only group in this country who are told how to do everything; how to dress, how to look, how to speak, when you should be married and when you should have children. We are the only group that's brought down and controlled every single thing," she added.

In addition, she noted the differences between the Azimio la Umoja demonstrations and other gatherings with regards to dress code as it is not a requirement for the former as compared to the strict rules that come with the other.

"In those maandamanos nobody is told how to dress. When I go to political rallies in Marsabit, I have to wear a hijab. When I go to church in Luo Nyanza I must wear a dress and It has to be floored.

"When I go anywhere the first thing that we are judged on is our appearance but those things only have power as long as we give it to them. Your confidence begins with what you allow people to tell you about yourselves," she revealed.

Winnie was elected alongside Kennedy Kalonzo, Kanini Kega and Suleiman Shahbal of the Azimio coalition and Hassan Omar, Zipporah Kering, David Ole Sankok, Mwangi Godfrey Maina and Falhadha Iman of the Kenya Kwanza coalition in November 2022.

The MPs earn juicy allowances and perks just like any other Member of Parliament sitting in the National Assembly and legislator in the Senate. However, their gross salary is slightly above that of the average MP.

EALA MPs earn a monthly gross salary of Ksh1.4 million, which includes their allowances. In comparison, Kenyan MPs earn about Ksh1 million. These perks are considered competitive as EALA MPs are mandated for legislation, oversight and representation.

In addition, the nine EALA MPs are also provided with a state vehicle to ease their movement. 

During the course of their term, they will also visit the EALA member countries while additional allowances will be provided to facilitate their travels in the member countries.

There is a catch; each member state is required to make a contribution upwards of Ksh840 million per EALA guidelines to facilitate their operations. EALA has a total of 45 members indirectly elected for a five-year term by their respective National Assemblies, with each country producing at least nine.