Oburu Oginga declares firm grip on ODM, promises to lead in Raila’s footsteps
Winnie had publicly called for a National Delegates Convention (NDC) to decide the party’s strategic approach to the pact with President Ruto’s government, asserting that current leaders were not capable of managing the complex relationship.
Marking the party's 20th anniversary, the newly approved Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader, Senator Oburu Oginga, on Friday asserted his firm grasp on the leadership reins, declaring he has "taken up that shield" of his late brother, Raila Odinga, and will proceed "without any fear."
Speaking during the ODM at 20 celebration in Mombasa on Saturday, November 15, 2025, Oburu declared his readiness to steer the party in line with his late predecessor.
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“Hii kiti ambacho mmenipaea kuwa party leader nitaendela vile Raila alikuwa anaendelea bila uwoga yoyote. Nitatimiza yale yote ambayo ndugu yangu alitake itimizwe (I will proceed as Raila was proceeding without any fear. I will fulfil everything that my brother wanted to be fulfilled),” he stated.
Oburu also addressed Winnie Odinga’s proposal to hold an NDC to allow supporters to select new leaders capable of managing the pact with President William Ruto’s government.
Winnie had publicly called for a National Delegates Convention (NDC) to decide the party’s strategic approach to the pact with President Ruto’s government, asserting that current leaders were not capable of managing the complex relationship.
But Oburu respectfully dismissed his niece’s public demand, indicating the matter would be resolved internally.
“Mumemsikia mtoto wangu Winnie akisema eti Raila alikuwa hapo, na eti sasa tutafute mwingine atusaidie kuendeleza hii broad-based government. Ninamwambia hiyo tutaongea naye kinyumbani,” Oburu stated.
The veteran leader confirmed the existing arrangement, stating that Raila had left the party under a clear political strategy. “Raila alituacha kwa Broad-Based Government (Raila left us in a Broad-Based Government arrangement).”
He, however, cautioned against making premature strategic decisions about the 2027 General Election.
“Ikifika mwaka wa 2027 tutaangalia ni nani tutaongea na yeye au sisi tutaenda pekeyetu. Hio ni wakati huo ukifika, hatutavuka daraja kabla hatujafika kwa daraja (In 2027, we will decide whether to join a coalition or go to elections as ODM Party. We will cross that bridge when we get there,” he stated.
Oburu used the platform to criticise members he described as having been disloyal to his late brother. After reflecting emotionally on his grief and long history with the former Prime Minister, he asserted that not everyone who claimed loyalty had acted truthfully.
“Ninajua kuna wenzangu, wengine ambao wanasema wako na Raila kwa dhati. Lakini kwa wakati mmoja, au ingine, walikuwa wamesaliti Raila (I know there are colleagues, some who say they are genuinely with Raila. But at one time or another, they betrayed Raila),” Oburu said.
He added that internal fidelity remains a core concern as the party navigates its leadership transition.
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