The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has appointed Siaya
Senator Oburu Oginga 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 appointment takes effect immediately.
“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.
Oburu, who is the elder brother of the late former Prime
Minister Raila Odinga, 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.
The decision comes even as the former PM’s body is expected
to arrive in the country, anytime now.
The remains of the father of devolution are aboard a Kenya
Airways (KQ) plane and are expected to land at the Jomo Kenyatta International
Airport (JKIA) at 9:30 am.
The body is being brought by a high-level delegation to India,
led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, includes Senator Oketch,
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, and Kikuyu MP Kimani
Ichung’wah, among others. Representing the family is Raila’s youngest daughter,
EALA MP Winnie Odinga.
Raila, who died of cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment
at an Ayurvedic facility, will be accorded a state funeral with full honors, as
announced by President Ruto.
A national funeral committee, co-chaired by Deputy President
Kithure Kindiki and Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, has already begun holding
sessions to oversee the arrangements.
According to a detailed funeral programme seen by The
Star, there will be four sittings in planning Raila’s burial: one at his Karen
home, another at his Opoda home, a third in Kisumu City, and a final
Nairobi-based committee.
The ODM party, through Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, had
called for calm and unity as they mourned their leader.
“While we process this adverse news and await further
updates, I urge all party members to observe the tenets of unity and rally
together as we reflect on the life and times of our leader, a man who has been
a mentor and father to all, hence the moniker, "Baba,” he said.
