The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)
acting party leader, Oburu Odinga, has pledged to carry forward his brother, the
late Raila Odinga’s political legacy, as best as he can.
Addressing ODM allied leaders and
members during the State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday, Oburu
assured that he will not disappoint, thanking the party leaders for naming him
to the position.
“I want to thank my party, ODM, for
making me the party leader,” he said, briefly after giving a moving tribute to
Raila, and turning to politics, the very arena that defined the fallen’s public
life.
Noting that ODM is the oldest and
largest party in East and Central Africa, Oburu said, “I will take that mantle
with vigour and I must assure you, my colleagues, that I will not disappoint.”
Oburu, however, acknowledged, in
humility, the magnitude of the legacy before him.
“Even though the shoes of Raila are
too big to be filled. I just want to try my best. I want to try my best,” he
said.
This comes a day after the Orange party appointed the Siaya Senator as the
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 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 on Thursday.
Oburu 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.
