Oburu appoints diplomat Achieng regional and international affairs advisor

ODM leader and Siaya Senator Dr Oburu Oginga has appointed diplomat Dr Renish Achieng Omullo as his Regional and International Affairs Advisor.

The appointment seeks to strengthen the party’s external engagement capability. The appointment takes effect immediately.

In a letter confirming the appointment, Oburu said Omullo will be responsible for providing strategic advice on regional and international relations, with a focus on advancing the interests and objectives of the ODM leader on the global stage.

Her new role will also involve deepening diplomatic ties and broadening the party’s international footprint as it aligns itself with broader national development aspirations.

“Your vast experience in these areas uniquely positions you to make valuable contributions to the party's regional and global initiatives,” Oburu stated in the appointment letter.

He added that he looked forward to a close working relationship with Omullo to sustain a “connected and progressive movement.”

Omullo expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her, pledging to serve with dedication and to strengthen Oburu’s international engagements.

“I am honoured by this appointment and committed to applying my experience to enhance the party leader’s regional and global interests,” she said.

Omullo brings an expansive diplomatic résumé to the role. She made history as the first Kenyan appointed by South Sudan President Salva Kiir as Special Envoy to Germany, where she was based in Berlin overseeing international and regional affairs.

Her work in South Sudan spanned over two decades, covering diplomacy, international trade, and cross-border cooperation.

She also previously served as Business Development Manager for Africa at Celle Brunnenbau GmbH, a role that sharpened her capacity in international business, commercial diplomacy and trade relations.

Her expertise extends to advisory work in Kenya, having served the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on regional and international affairs.

Her appointment is expected to bolster ODM’s global positioning at a time when the party is undergoing a significant leadership transition. 

Oburu assumed leadership of the Orange Democratic Movement after the death of its founding party leader, Raila Odinga, stepping into the role at a moment of immense emotional weight.

His elevation was the result of a consensus within ODM’s top organs, which sought a steady and unifying hand to guide the movement through a sensitive transition period.

Party insiders said the decision was anchored in Oburu’s long political career, deep institutional knowledge and unwavering loyalty to the party’s ideals.

His decades of involvement in legislative affairs, diplomatic engagement and strategic planning made him the preferred custodian of Raila’s political legacy.

ODM’s National Executive Committee (NEC), together with county officials and grassroots representatives, held extensive consultations in the days following Raila’s passing.

A common sentiment emerged: that the party needed continuity, stability and leadership rooted in its founding ethos. Oburu’s appointment was seen as the clearest path to preserving unity and maintaining ODM’s ideological direction.