- Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga has been officially confirmed as ODM party leader, succeeding his late brother Raila Odinga
- His appointment was approved during the meeting of the National Leadership Council in Mombasa, where he promised to maintain unity and respect the vision of the founder of the party
- The council also retained key officials, including Edwin Sifuna, Gladys Wanga, and Abdulswamad Nassir, in their leadership positions.
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga is the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Source: Twitter
Oburu was confirmed at the National Governing Council (NGC) meeting in Mombasa on Thursday evening, November 13.
Until his confirmation, Oburu had led the party for a while.
He was elected on October 16 following the death of his younger brother, Raila Odingawho was the leader of the party since its inception in 2005.
What Oburu Oginga asked from ODM members
Oburu, after being sworn in, called the party united, promising to lead it to greatness and achieve the dream its founding leader had.
“I want to thank you all for the honor you have given me to take on this very serious responsibility. I do not take your gesture for granted, because my brother was very dear to me,” he said.
At the same time, the NGC approved the appointment of others in the central committee of the party.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, Simba Arati of Kisii and Vihiga senator Godfrey Osotsi were all retained as deputy leaders of the party.
Governor of Homa Bay Gladys Wanga he was retained as the national chairman of the party.
Senator from Nairobi Edwin Sifuna will remain as secretary general, MP for Rarieda Otiende Amollo and Ariko Namoit as vice chairmen, and Kisumu women’s representative Ruth Odinga as deputy coordinating secretary.
Kisumu West Member of Parliament Rosa Buyu will be the political affairs secretary.
Does Ruto control ODM?
Besides that, some quarters claimed that the President William Ruto he had established his authority in the party following the death of Raila.
The quarters claimed that it was Ruto who influenced the election of Senator Oburu as acting leader of the party.
But ODM communications director Philip Etale dismissed the claims, first by noting that ODM’s constitution does not allow for a leadership vacuum, especially during such an important transition as the one caused by Raila’s death.
He explained that quick steps were necessary to appoint a person to lead the party while mourning the loss of its founding leader.
Dismissing claims that the decision of the National Assembly was influenced by Ruto, Etale confirmed that Oburu was the right choice to lead, citing his long membership and political experience.
He added that delaying the transition to await the return of other NEC members from India would detract from the party’s role in preparing Raila’s farewell.
During Raila’s funeral, the president promised to honor his legacy and fulfill his vision of uniting the Orange party in government.
Source: Twitter
He also warned local opponents against undermining the alliance between ODM and the administration.
“Raila built the biggest political movement in the history of Kenya. It would be a tragedy for that dream to be distorted by selfish groups,” he said.
He vowed to protect the party from being hijacked and turned into an opposition platform, subtly hinting at his continued influence within its ranks.
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