By B, KNA
Acting ODM party leader, Dr Oburu Oginga, has vowed to carry on the legacy of his late brother Raila Odinga as the party prepares to embark on a new phase after the demise of Odinga.
Dr Oburu was unanimously appointed to the position of acting Party leader by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) following the recent death of former party leader, 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 which will be celebrating its 2Oth anniversary in November.
The Siaya Senator who was addressing ODM leaders and delegates drawn from thirty party branches of Migori, Homabay, Kisumu and Siaya counties at his Opoda home in Bondo said the former party leader Odinga left ODM and Luo the people in good hands (government) for which he is committed to ensure the party and the people not only remain in the current government but also forms next government.
He observed that although ODM was incorporated and works with the current regime under broad-based arrangement, the party is focused on building strong structures to form or be part of next regime with better bargaining power.
ODM Party Chairperson, Gladys Wanga, stated that there is no leadership vacuum in both ODM party and that of the Luo community following the demise of Raila Odinga declaring 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 that the community will only take political directions from Dr Oburu and negotiations on behalf of the community will also be undertaken by the new party leader.
The Homabay Governor called on the Luo community to remain united under ODM party and under Dr Oburu adding that 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.
Wanga said the only honour the community can give Raila is to remain united as the party faces ultimate test in the fourth coming 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 NEC describing him as an honest leader who believes in having strong parties for better governance.
Orengo cautioned the 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,” said Orengo
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 ODM party office 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 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 Ag Party leader in support for the party NEC for appointing him to the position and also to condole with him for the loss of his brother Raila Odinga.
