Winnie Odinga: How US Made Raila Lose August Elections

East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament (MP) nominee, Winnie Odinga, alleges that the United States (US) government may have interfered with his father, Raila Odinga's road to victory in the August 9 elections.

Speaking during a Citizen TV interview on Tuesday, November 15, Winnie indicated that the President Joe Biden-led government messed with the outcome of the elections in favour of President William Ruto.

She noted that she was devastated when the presidential results were announced exactly three months ago as she was part of the presidential campaign team under the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya leader.

Winnie had likened the influence of the American nation on the polls to that of a virtual reality video game.

"Have you ever worn virtual reality glasses? That is what Kenya is to them. You put it on and you play. Kenya is like a PlayStation to them," she said, further rating the West's alleged level of interference in the polls as 13, above the scale of 1-10.

She spoke on allegations that she intentionally sabotaged the campaign team through micromanagement, stating that she worked harder than anyone else except his father.

"This is my father and I don't think anyone worked harder on that campaign than me except him. People were there for their own agendas; they were there to sabotage us and do all sorts of things but I prepared him (Raila) as best as I could for him to succeed," she said.

"He is my father; everyone can call him 'baba' but he is my father. I don't see any problem with being overprotective. When people look back they always look for somebody to blame. As much as I love campaigns, I was hardly on the campaign trail."

In terms of being Raila's daughter, she attributed this to the backlash she faced after her nomination to EALA, despite being qualified for the position. She gave examples of her siblings who previously had political ambitions but were silenced by critics consisting of members of the public and some politicians.

“The name Odinga has gotten me very many things…it has gotten me into trouble, gotten abused, blamed for many things and persecuted. It has also been a blessing and it is a name that I emphatically am proud of and defend. The name Odinga does not define Winnie," she argued.

"It does both in equal measure; it does disadvantage me because certain people don’t want you to walk through the door...On the positive, it has enabled me to travel throughout the world."

On her nomination to EALA, she, in defence, said that she was justified like any other Kenyan to be part of the nominees owing to her credentials and that this would inspire other Kenyans to represent their fellow countrymen, regardless of where they come from.

“Why not me? All the conditions for EALA I have, I have passed and achieved all of them, so why not me? I had not applied for EALA nor was I thinking of taking that step…” she said.

“This is not an issue of political belief, it is an issue of representation of the country. I am getting really good feedback from both sides of the House, perhaps more enthusiastic than on the other side (Kenya Kwanza).”

She rallied other MPs, who are set to vote on the EALA seats during the week, to look at her qualifications.