Acting ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga has vowed to carry on the legacy of his late brother Raila Odinga as the party prepares for a new phase after the demise of Raila.
Dr Oburu was unanimously backed to the position of acting party leader by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) following the death of Raila Odinga on October 15.
Oburu has promised not to let down both the party and its supporters as he takes over the helm of ODM party that will be celebrating its 20th anniversary next month.
The Siaya senator who was addressing ODM leaders and delegates drawn from 30 party branches of Migori, Homabay, Kisumu and Siaya counties at his Opoda Farm home in Bondo said the former party leader Odinga left ODM and Luo community in government for which he is determined to ensure the party and the people not only support President William Ruto’s government, but also forms the next government.
When he addressed mourners during former prime minister’s burial on October 19, President Ruto said h looked forward to seeing ODM form the next government or be part of it in 2027.
Oburu observed that, although ODM was incorporated and works with the current regime under “broad-based government” arrangement, the party is focused on building strong structures to form or be part of next regime in which it will have better bargaining power.
ODM Party Chair Gladys Wanga said there is no leadership vacuum in both ODM party and that of the Luo community following the demise of Raila Odinga and declared that Oburu is both the ODM party and the Luo community leader.
“Dr Oburu has the capacity, wisdom and energy to be our party leader. Let us support our party leader who will also be the leader of Luo community. No one should think there is a leadership vacuum now that Raila is dead,” Wanga asserted.
Wanga said the Luo community will only take political direction from Oburu and negotiations on behalf of the community will also be undertaken by the new party leader. The Homa Bay governor called on the community to remain united in ODM party and under Oburu.
She said other communities are keenly watching the happenings in the party after Raila’s demise and will only remain or join the party if there is peace and unity in ODM.
The governor said that the only honour the community can give Raila is to remain united as the party faces ultimate test in the forthcoming by-elections in Ugunja and Kasipul constituencies.
Siaya Governor James Orengo exuded confidence that Oburu Oginga will soon be confirmed as the party leader by the ODM National Executive Council, describing him as an honest leader who believes in having strong parties for better governance.
Orengo cautioned ODM party against placing “all their cards” on the table when negotiating with other parties and asked Oburu not to allow any party to swallow ODM, which he described as one of the biggest parties in Africa.
“We want ODM to be around 100 years to come so as we talk to others let’s not put all our cards on the table or allow the party to be swallowed because we are one of the biggest parties in Africa,” Orengo said.
The governor on the other hand urged party members to work diligently for the party even if they do not get a chance to hold party office saying that it is not a must that each party member holds office to serve the people.
“Personally, I have never held an ODM party position but I still work for the party as expected. It is not a must that all of us hold party office but we can still serve the party effectively as members,” Orengo remarked.
The event was also attended by Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyongo, Migori Governor Ochilo Ayako as well as several MPs and MCAs from the region, who paid homage to the acting party leader.
- A Tell Media / KNA report / By Brian Ondeng
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