ODM’s internal family drama and President William Ruto’s big-ticket infrastructure push collided online, producing three hot, fast-moving trends that lit up X for hours.
At the centre of the political storm was Winnie Odinga, trending strongly under “Note: Trending with Oburu,” as supporters and critics openly questioned the future leadership of the Orange party, even as the government’s Bomas International Convention Centre (BICC) project dominated the “Road to First World” conversation under #BOMASItaBamba.
Winnie Odinga’s name surged to the top position, trending for 19 hours, with sharp, emotional takes flying in from all sides. Admirers painted her as Raila Odinga’s natural political heir, fearless and authentic, while detractors accused her of overreach and undue influence.
A @BenardKavuli declared: “Winnie Odinga should’ve been the ODM leader. She’s courageous, witty and strong. She possess the aura of her father. That 89-old-year thing is so clueless and blind.” K24 weighed in with Winnie’s own words, tweeting: “Winnie Odinga: Baba never told us which side he left us on; everything he wanted to say, he did so in the presence of his supporters #K24Siasa.”
The strongest praise came from senior advocate Donald Kipkorir, who contrasted Winnie’s Kibra meeting with an ODM gathering chaired by Oburu Odinga in Kakamega, writing: “Winnie Odinga is a chip of the old block! She is her father’s true heir… Winnie like her father manages to get spontaneous huge crowds without lobbying or bribing or branding them. Such a gift only comes from the gods!” But the knives were equally sharp on the other side.
A @Disembe dismissed Winnie as overbearing and doubled down on Oburu Odinga’s authority, tweeting: “Dr. Oburu Odinga — incoherent or not — is the sole and legitimate PARTY LEADER of ODM Party.” The posts exposed a raw, unresolved succession battle inside ODM, playing out noisily in public.
At the same time, pro-government voices pushed a very different narrative. “Road to First World” climbed to position seven as attention shifted to BICC, a flagship project rising at Bomas of Kenya. Supporters hailed it as proof of speed, ambition and jobs under Ruto. @PloSigei wrote: “The Ruto administration is redefining public projects through BICC built 24/7, powered by solar energy… #BOMASItaBamba Road to First World Kenya.” Others echoed the scale and symbolism, with @chin_o47 calling it “more than a building, it’s a national statement.”
The hashtag #BOMASItaBamba itself trended separately, with users highlighting jobs, design and economic spin-offs. @I_M_TheVoice noted: “The project has already created over 2,200 daily jobs for young Kenyans.” @cosmochoy sold the dream: “One campus, endless vibes… Work, live, play, all in one Boma!”
As Winnie and Oburu fought for narrative control of ODM, Bomas offered the government a glossy counter-story of cranes, crowds and concrete. Kenyan politics, once again, unfolded online as both family feud and first-world fantasy battled for attention.
SADIO MANE
The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 continues to dominate digital space in Kenya, with Senegal that won the league, Afcon 2025, Brahim Diaz and Senegal’s attacker Sadio Mane leading top five trends as fans debate performances and prospects in Africa’s biggest league.
Away from the pitch, Parliament has reclaimed its place in the spotlight, with the debate over the use of NGCDF funds putting Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi under intense public scrutiny. Meanwhile, Winnie Odinga, Geoffrey Mosiria, SENMAR and Mendy (Senegal goalie) continue to trend, underscoring how sports, politics and social issues remain tightly intertwined in Kenya’s online conversation. Other top trending topics included:
#Senegal: The national team won Afcon after beating host nation Morocco 1-0 in the finals.
This is despite a lot of drama including a controversial penalty award to Morocco and ruling out of a Senegal goal and walkout by Senegal players who later returned to the pitch, allowing the match to continue.
The team that travelled for the final match in Rabat via train was allegedly not offered any security on arrival and had to walk through a large crowd.
#Afcon2025: The tournament ended yesterday in a dramatic final between Senegal and Morocco that the former won 1-0 in extra time. Sadio Mane was named the best player of the tournament.
#BrahimDiaz: The Morocco player bagged the Afcon 2025 Golden boot after emerging the top scorer in the tournament despite missing a penalty in the finals against Senegal that they lost, in extra time.
#SadioMane: The former Liverpool attacker, currently playing for Al Nassr Football Club, is hailed for encouraging his Senegal teammates to soldier despite dramatic moments during the final match against hosts Morocco. He rallied his teammates in a pitch walk protesting the controversial award of a penalty to Morocco but later convinced the other players to go back to the pitch. He was named the tournament’s best player
#AtandionEducation: Alego Usonga and National Budget Committee Chairperson Samuel Atandi is facing public scrutiny after he shared his fitness transformation photos online, critics demanding he share more information on how NGCDF funds at his disposal were being spent.
An earlier post by Safina party deputy party leader Willis Otieno claiming that the constituency had 169 public schools against Kiharu’s 231 that receive Sh188 million NGCDF funds annually has revived the accountability question.
The MP had earlier insisted he has 250 public schools but didn’t share a list backing the number, raising questions over possible ghost schools.
“No one is jealous of your body. What people are reacting to is loud insecurity you keep parading as confidence,” Willis Otieno shared.
#MikeandKing’ang’i: The Classic 105 daytime talk segment hosted by Mike Mondo and Mwalimu Kingangi (Daniel Ndambuki) is also part of the trends.
Popular among urban audiences, the show covers lifestyle, relationship and social issues, mixing humour, advice and real-life stories with music.
#AlegoUsongaEducation: MP Samuel Atandi has come out to clarify that photos shared online said to be of Uwasi primarychool were fake.
“Those who supplied Otieno (Willis) with the photos of schools claiming to be Uwasi should not stop…He should post more of such photos as Luo Nyanza schools,” Atandi shared.
#SENMAR: The Afcon 2025 final match between Senegal and Morocco that ended in favour of the visitors is ninth on the trending list.
#Mendy: Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved panenka penalty by Brahim Diaz and was named the player of match after maintaining a cleansheet in the finals.
#Mosiria: Nairobi City Chief officer ( )in charge of Citizen engagement and Customer service Geoffrey Mosiria has come out boldly castigating the recording of nudity of a young intoxicated lady in a Nairobi night club.
