NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 16 – The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has appointed Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Odinga as the Acting Party Leader, following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The decision was made during an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Thursday morning in Nairobi.
Reading the official statement, ODM Deputy Party Leader and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir said Oburu would assume temporary leadership until the party’s top decision-making organs convene to elect a substantive successor.
“The NEC has designated Honourable Dr. Oburu Odinga to be the acting party leader until such a time that the top party organs will meet and elect a substantive leader to fit in the big shoes left by our departed leader,” said Nassir.
Dr. Oburu Odinga, the elder brother of the late Raila Odinga, is a veteran politician and longstanding member of ODM’s inner leadership circle. He currently serves as the Senator for Siaya County.
The announcement comes as the country continues to mourn the loss of Raila Odinga, who died while undergoing treatment in Kochi, India. A state funeral is being organized, with burial scheduled for Sunday at his home in Bondo, Siaya County, in accordance with his wishes to be laid to rest within 72 hours of his passing.
This is the third significant leadership transition within ODM. The last occurred in early 2024, when Raila temporarily handed internal party responsibilities to Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o during his bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship.
At the time, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna announced that Nyong’o would preside over Central Committee meetings, allowing Raila to focus on his continental diplomatic ambitions.
