Raila’s Brother Oburu Oginga Named ODM Acting Party Leader

In a swift move to stabilize the party following the death of its long-time patriarch, Raila Odinga, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has appointed Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga as its acting party leader.

The decision was reached unanimously by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) during a special meeting held on Thursday morning in Nairobi. The appointment takes effect immediately, ensuring immediate leadership continuity as the party navigates a path forward following the passing of the former Prime Minister.

In a statement, the ODM NEC announced that Dr. Oginga, the elder brother of the late Raila Odinga, would assume the party’s mantle until the top party organs meet to elect a substantive successor capable of fitting the “big shoes” left behind by the former leader.

Raila Odinga, a dominant force in Kenyan politics for four decades, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 80 in Kochi, India, where he had been undergoing treatment.

The appointment of Dr. Oginga, a seasoned politician, former Assistant Minister for Finance, and current Siaya Senator, signals the party’s immediate reliance on the deep institutional knowledge and familial legacy of the Odinga family.

The announcement comes as Kenya begins a seven-day national mourning period declared by President William Ruto, during which the late leader will be accorded a state funeral with all attendant honours. Dr. Oginga has also been co-chairing the funeral arrangements committee alongside Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, highlighting his crucial role in both the family and political spheres during this time of national grief.

The NEC’s decision provides a temporary solution, but it opens the door for significant internal discussions regarding the permanent leadership succession in the ODM, a party fundamentally shaped by Raila Odinga’s charisma and political dominance since its inception in 2005.