Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has launched a stinging rebuttal against Winnie Odinga after the late ODM leader’s daughter accused him of dragging partisan politics into the country’s most sensitive financial office.
What initially started as whispers of discontent within the ODM has now erupted into a public display, revealing underlying tensions concerning power, influence, and succession politics within Raila Odinga’s political stronghold.
The storm erupted after Winnie publicly criticised Mbadi for his recent political remarks, cautioning him against transforming the National Treasury into what she referred to as “a political office”.
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In fiery clips that spread rapidly across social media platforms, Winnie accused the veteran politician of mixing government business with ODM internal politics, igniting a fierce online debate.
Her remarks struck a nerve.
“The economy is in bad shape. Talk less and work more, and the National Treasury is not a personal office,” – Winnie Odinga criticizes the Kenyan government and CS John Mbadi. pic.twitter.com/ddpp4lr3hD
— The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) May 15, 2026
But Mbadi, a seasoned political operator known for his razor-sharp tongue and fighting style, was never going to let the criticism go unchallenged.
Responding to the growing uproar, the Treasury CS forcefully defended both his political credentials and his long journey through the ranks of ODM, insisting his appointment was earned through decades of struggle, sacrifice and loyalty to the party and to public service.
“I have been ODM chairman for 10 years under Raila Odinga. I have also served as Minority Leader in the National Assembly before becoming the Treasury CS I am today,” Mbadi said.
Then came the line that sent social media into overdrive.
Win election
In what many interpreted as a direct put-down of Winnie’s political standing, Mbadi dismissed attempts to lecture him on leadership and governance, arguing that political authority is earned through the ballot and years in public life.
“You do not have the credentials to advise me on being Treasury CS. First seek an elective position and serve the people, then come and advise me,” he fired back.
The dramatic exchange has since triggered intense reactions online, with ODM supporters sharply divided.
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Some people praised Winnie for speaking out against what they saw as growing political arrogance in the government, while others backed Mbadi and saw him as a politician who had spent years working his way up through the opposition.
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