East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga’s Instagram poll shows the Linda Mwananchi Movement is her preferred route to the 2027 Nairobi senatorial seat.
The Linda Mwananchi option had the most votes, gaining 73 per cent. The ODM umbrella option and staying within the party and fighting for its direction both gained 11 per cent of the votes. The last option ‘Relax/other’ gained only 5 per cent.
Winnie posted the poll on her Instagram page on Monday, November 2 asking her followers to vote for the political route she should take. The poll was posted around 18 hours ago and shows how the followers of her social media page voted. It does not show which party or movement she will run under. However, she has not confirmed publicly which political platform she prefers.
The poll asked followers to vote for one of the following options: Joining Linda Mwananchi, pursuing an ODM/broad-based ticket, remaining in ODM to fight for the party’s direction, or relaxing and considering other options.
The Linda Mwananchi option gained 73 per cent of the votes. This was because ODM has been having internal disagreements about the direction of the party and its relationship with President William Ruto’s administration.
The Linda Mwananchi movement, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and others, has become a clear group. It has attracted politicians who want to take a more independent stance as an opposition party. However, some leaders within ODM want to continue working with the umbrella government.
The Instagram poll should not be taken as an indication that most voters in Nairobi want Winnie to join Linda Mwananchi. The poll was only for people who follow her social media account.
Winnie announced her plans to run for the Nairobi Senate seat during the first anniversary commemorations for her late father, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Bondo on October 15. She stated that due to the political landscape being created by Sifuna seeking a higher office, she decided to run.
“As Edwin Sifuna is looking for higher office, nimeona kuna space, nimeona kuna nafasi hapo Nairobi, and that’s why I have decided that I will stand for the Senate of Nairobi County,” she said.
The announcement made her a potential candidate for the seat currently held by Sifuna, who won the seat on an ODM ticket in the 2022 General Election. She also encouraged young people to run for positions throughout the country. However, she has not confirmed publicly which party she will run under.
The poll was posted amid disagreements within ODM about how they should work with the Kenya Kwanza administration and their plans for the 2027 elections. With the Linda Mwananchi movement coming to the forefront, it has created more debate, especially from leaders who have been critical of working with the government.
Winnie’s political alignment may draw attention due to her association with ODM and her family’s long standing ties to the party. However, this poll does not indicate that she will leave ODM or formally join Linda Mwananchi. There are expected to be several candidates running for the Nairobi Senate seat as parties start to position their candidates.
Winnie has been one of the public figures to state her interest. Other politicians have also said they will run. Her choice of political platform will be important to how she approaches the race, especially with the internal disagreements within ODM.
The Instagram poll has shown how her followers feel with Linda Mwananchi being the most popular. However, it is unclear if she will take this on board and run under a different party or stay within ODM.