Nairobi – October 27, 2025

Kenya’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has officially endorsed Senator Oburu Oginga as its new party leader, marking the first major leadership decision since the death of Raila Odinga earlier this month.

The endorsement came after a Central Committee meeting held on Monday at the party’s headquarters in Nairobi. It was a solemn yet decisive session, signalling ODM’s intent to preserve unity and stability during what party officials described as one of the most trying moments in its 20-year history.

“The party remains strong and steadfast in all its obligations and will rise stronger from adversity,” the committee said in a statement signed by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna. “We endorse Hon. Dr Oburu Oginga as the new party leader.”

Sifuna said the decision was reached unanimously, with members agreeing that Oburu, Raila’s elder brother and a long-time ally in the pro-democracy movement, was best positioned to guide ODM through its transition.

A Call for Unity

The committee urged ODM members, officials, and supporters across the country to rally behind Oburu, describing his leadership as vital to maintaining cohesion and direction.

“We urge the party rank and file to accord him all the necessary support and cooperation to enable him to guide the party through this difficult time,” the statement read.

Party insiders say Oburu’s appointment is intended to steady the movement as it restructures ahead of the 2027 General Election. His experience—spanning diplomacy, Parliament, and public service—is seen as a bridge between ODM’s founding generation and its emerging leadership.

Honouring Raila’s Legacy

The meeting also paid tribute to the late Raila Odinga, who led the party for over two decades and became a symbol of reform and resistance.

In its statement, the committee hailed Raila as “a peacemaker, liberator, and statesman whose influence spanned generations and continents,” vowing to uphold his vision of democracy, inclusivity, and justice.

“ODM shall continue on the path of embracing diversity and continue the struggle for equality, justice, and peace here at home and beyond our borders,” it said.

Raila, who passed away earlier this month, left behind a political legacy that shaped Kenya’s modern democracy. His absence has created both an emotional and strategic vacuum within ODM—one Oburu now steps forward to fill.

A Party in Transition

While the committee’s endorsement gives Oburu a clear mandate, the next phase will likely involve broader consultations with regional party organs and grassroots networks.

For now, the message from the ODM leadership is one of continuity rather than change: a pledge to honour Raila’s ideals, maintain party discipline, and prepare for the next chapter in Kenya’s political story.