Oburu Odinga Succeeds Raila as ODM Party Leader

Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga and elder brother to the late former Prime Minister (PM) Raila Odinga has been appointed as as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Acting Party Leader, following a unanimous decision by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC). In a statement issued on Thursday morning, ODM announced that the NEC had met and unanimously endorsed Oburu’s designation. The appointment takes effect immediately. “The National Executive Committee (NEC) has this morning met and unanimously endorsed the designation of the Senator of Siaya County Dr. Oburu Oginga as the Acting Party Leader. This appointment takes effect immediately,” the party said in a brief statement posted on its official platforms. Oburu, who is the elder brother of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, steps into the role at a critical time for the party as it begins a transition process following Raila’s death on Wednesday. The appointment of Oburu is expected to ensure continuity in leadership as the party prepares to chart its next course. The NEC’s decision marks the first major internal move by ODM since the loss of its founding leader, whose political career spanned over four decades. ODM has been one of Kenya’s most influential political movements, playing a central role in shaping the country’s opposition politics for nearly two decades. The decision comes even as the former PM’s body is expected to arrive in the country, anytime now. The ODM party, through Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, had called for calm and unity as they mourned their leader. “While we process this adverse news and await further updates, I urge all party members to observe the tenets of unity and rally together as we reflect on the life and times of our leader, a man who has been a mentor and father to all, hence the moniker, "Baba,” he said.