Raila's party picks Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga to replace John Mbadi as Chairperson

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party headed by Raila Odinga has settled on Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga to replace John Mbadi as the party's national chairperson.

In announcements that were made by party secretary Edwin Sifuna, Wanga, who is the party's branch chairperson for Homa Bay County will now be overseeing all branches countywide to replace the nominated MP and former Suba South lawmaker who was nominated to Cabinet.

The vacancies arose after President William Ruto picked members of Raila's Orange party to his cabinet. Former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho was nominated as cabinet secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime affairs, Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSME Development), John Mbadi (National Treasury) and Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum).

The four joined 16 other nominees picked by Ruto as he reconstituted his cabinet following widespread protests against his administration.

"The ODM Central Committee held a meeting this afternoon to deliberate on matters affecting the leadership of the Party in light of vacancies created in its leadership following the resignations of our two Deputy Party Leaders, our National Chairman, the Secretary for political affairs and a member of the Parties Elections Coordinating Committee," said Sifuna.

According to Sifuna, these vacancies have attracted immense interest from across the membership, thanking all those who offered themselves.

"Whilst not all of us can lead at the same time, we wish to encourage those who may not get the nod that there will always be space for all of you to contribute," added Sifuna.

Congratulations to our proposed new officials. pic.twitter.com/l6Mp92Z1iu

— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) August 9, 2024

The party also retained Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as secretary general and the party spokesperson. The changes were made on Friday during the Central Management Committee meeting chaired by party leader Raila Odinga.

Raila chaired the meeting to unveil a new leadership lineup to fill vacant positions following the appointment to Cabinet of Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya and John Mbadi.

Sifuna pointed out that the Central Committee has proposed three names for Deputy Party Leader. "We will be making a recommendation to the National Executive Council and the National Governing Council to make the necessary changes to our constitution to reflect this," he said.

In the changes, the party named Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo and his Turkana South counterpart John Ariko as vice chairmen.

MP for Kajiado East MP Kakuta Maimai is secretary for special programmes and social welfare, Rahab Robi (Migori CEC) is secretary of publicity and information, Rosa Buyu (Kisumu West MP) is secretary for political affairs and Ruth Odinga (Kisumu Woman Rep) deputy organising secretary.