ODM Acting Party Leader, Dr Oburu Odinga, has vowed to rejuvenate the 20-year-old party ahead of the 2027 General Election, even as divisions simmer over the Broad-Based Government arrangement with the ruling UDA party.
Speaking in Mombasa during his first meeting with ODM grassroots leaders since his confirmation as Acting Party Leader following the death of Raila Odinga, Dr Oburu said he is prepared to fill the void left by his late brother and lead the party to higher success.
Dr Oburu admitted he is still reeling from the loss of his younger brother, describing him as more than family but a confidant and friend with whom he shared a close bond, being just one year and two months apart in age.
“I was shocked to lose him. Abdulswamad Nassir proposed that I take over the leadership of the party. It is not a family affair, I have vast experience as a leader, having joined politics as an elected councillor of Kisumu from 1974 to 1979,” he stated.
He emphasised that his long experience in leadership positions has prepared him to guide ODM forward, urging grassroots leaders to rally behind him. “If you support me, we will succeed if not we will drown. Let’s strengthen the party.”
He assured the leaders that the ten-point agenda signed by ODM and UDA will be implemented and the pact stands up to 2027. Afterwards, the party will discern the direction it will take, but it will no longer be in opposition, as they will either form the government or be in government.
“Let’s remain steadfast to strengthen the party for us to succeed,” he appealed to the party members.
The acting party leader also announced that the 20th anniversary celebrations for the party, which were postponed, will be held from 14th November in Mombasa to also remember the late Raila Odinga.
He also disclosed that the National Governing Council will soon meet to confirm him as the substantive party leader.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna urged the leaders to use the upcoming celebrations to revive the legacy of Raila Odinga.
“As your SG, there is no day I will betray ODM and the party ideals. The biggest legacy of Baba is to build the party. I will do what it takes to ensure the party holds together,” he stated.
He also delved into the pact with UDA, saying the late Odinga explicitly said in public that it is Sifuna who drafted it.
“As the one who drafted it, I know what it entails. This agreement doesn’t constitute a coalition with UDA.”
The firebrand SG also urged ODM leaders to desist from bringing confusion in the pact with UDA, saying that there is no Broad-Based Party as campaigns intensify ahead of the 27th November by-elections.
“There is no candidate for Broad-Based. Leaders should not bring confusion,” he said, adding that the grassroots leaders will decide the party direction in the 2027 election.
The party, he clarified, will only enter into coalitions with like-minded individuals who share ODM ideals. “We will look for friends with similar character traits like us,” he said.
ODM Deputy Party Leader, Abdulswamad Nassir, said the fallen hero used to set the agenda for the country; thus, his absence will be felt by all and sundry. “What will take us forward is our unity,” he said.
He echoed Sifuna’s sentiments, emphasising that they are not in a coalition arrangement with UDA, but however added that the party was not formed to be in opposition.
By Sadik Hassan
