Winnie Odinga's Message To 49 Kenyans After Winning EALA Race

Winnie promised to represent her supporters and the people of Kenya as a whole at the EALA assembly.

Winnie Odinga's Message To 49 Kenyans After Winning EALA Race
A collage of Winnie Odinga and her father, Raila Odinga. /FILE

Winnie Odinga on Thursday, November 17 dedicated her election to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) to 49 of her supporters who lost their lives in 2017.

In a statement, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's youngest daughter recognised the supporters who stood by her and her father who has been on the Kenyan political scene for years.

She noted that the 49 Kenyans had lost their lives after she and Raila left the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), having welcomed back her father.

An image of the car Winnie Odinga was travelling in during the 2017 fracas at JKIA. /TWITTER. WINNIE ODINGA

Winnie counted herself lucky to have survived the terrible ordeal and it was by grace that she lived long to ascend to the Arusha-based Parliament.

"Five years ago exactly today, as we left JKIA, 49 lives were lost. I am still here by God's grace.

"Fast forward to today, I am elected to be a member of the EALA. I am humbled. I am grateful. I am ready. This is for all the ones we lost on the way. There is no me without you," she shared.

She posted photos of the ordeal which saw the windscreen of a Range Rover vehicle she was travelling in on that day smashed while in a commotion with the police.

Winnie promised to represent her supporters and the people of Kenya as a whole at the EALA assembly.

She amassed 247 votes both cast among the Senate and the National Assembly which saw her elected under the Azimio la Umoja coalition.

Alongside her was Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka's son, Kalonzo Kennedy Musyoka, former Kieni MP Kanini Kega and Mombasa businessman, Suleiman Shabal.

During a Citizen TV interview on Tuesday, November 15, Winnie attributed being Raila's daughter 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.

Winnie Odinga, one of Raila Odinga's two daughters. /FILE