NAIROBI, Kenya – East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga has addressed the long-running public conversation about her personality and fashion choices, confirming that she considers herself a tomboy.
Winnie made the revelation during an interview with journalist Edmund Obilo, where she was asked directly whether she identifies as a tomboy.
“Yes,” she responded.
Asked what she meant by the description, Winnie explained that a tomboy is simply a girl who enjoys things traditionally associated with men.
“You know, a girl who likes guy things,” she said.
However, Winnie quickly stressed that identifying as a tomboy does not mean she rejects feminine interests.
“I like both. I like girl things too,” she added.
Her comments offered a more personal explanation of a label that has followed her in public discussions for years, particularly because of her clothing choices and preference for styles that do not always conform to conventional expectations of how women in public life should dress.
Rather than presenting the tomboy label as a limitation, Winnie used the conversation to describe herself as a confident and curious person.
“There’s many ways to be a human being,” she said.
“I think I’m just confident. I know what I like.”
The EALA lawmaker said she does not believe people should seek permission to explore their interests or define themselves according to expectations imposed by others.
“I don’t ask for permission to know things,” Winnie said.
She described herself as having a “very curious mind”, explaining that she enjoys learning, travelling and studying.
“I like to learn new things, travel new places, study a lot,” she said.
To demonstrate that she also enjoys traditionally feminine interests, Winnie revealed that she watches reality television. She specifically mentioned The Real Housewives of Nairobi and The Real Housewives of Lagos among the shows she enjoys.
“I still watch reality TV show,” she said, before naming the two franchises.
Winnie’s comments come after years of public discussion about her appearance, dressing and personality. Her preference for trousers, shirts, blazers, sneakers and other practical outfits has frequently attracted attention from Kenyan social media users.
In July 2026, one social media user questioned why Winnie appeared to dress differently from other women, prompting her to respond publicly to criticism of her style.
The debate reignited conversations about whether her fashion choices reflected a tomboy identity.
Her choice of clothing has also become a recurring subject whenever she appears at public events. On occasions when Winnie wears dresses or more traditionally feminine outfits, her departure from her usual style often attracts attention, demonstrating how strongly sections of the public associate her with the tomboy label.
The conversation about being a tomboy also led to a wider discussion about what it means to be a traditional African woman. Obilo asked Winnie whether she considered herself a traditional African woman.
“In many ways I am, in many ways I may be different,” she said.
Winnie argued that education and exposure can influence how African women view themselves and their place in society.
“In many ways, perhaps I’m the symbol of what happens when you educate and expose an African woman,” she said.
Winnie’s interests have also been shaped by her upbringing.
She has previously spoken about growing up with her older brother, Raila Odinga Junior, and participating in activities that were not necessarily considered traditionally feminine.
Her experiences included sports, video games, and listening to rap music. Those experiences helped shape her interests and contributed to the personality she presents today.
Rather than viewing those interests as incompatible with femininity, Winnie appears to see them as simply part of who she is.
As the daughter of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Winnie has lived much of her life under public scrutiny. Her political family background has made her personal choices a frequent subject of public discussion.
Her position as an EALA MP has further placed her in the public eye, with her clothing, relationships and personality regularly attracting attention.
