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By Cantona Joseph Published on: March 27, 2026 10:44 (EAT)

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ODM party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga arrives at the Jamhuri Grounds for the party’s SDC. He is received by his deputy Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir and National Chairperson Gladys Wanga. PHOTO | COURTESY

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The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has formally ratified Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga as its substantive party leader following the passing of his brother and longterm party chief Raila Odinga on October 15, 2025.

Dr. Oburu, who has presumably been serving in an acting capacity following his nomination by the party’s National Governing Council (NGC), was officially approved to take over the position at the Special Delegates Convention (SCD) held at Jamhuri Grounds on Friday.

He was proposed by Mumias West Member of Parliament Johnson Manya Naicca, and seconded by Mathare lawmaker Anthony Oluoch after the question was put to the floor by ODM’s Director of Elections and Campaigns Junet Mohamed.

Dr. Oburu will be deputized by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir and his Kisii counterpart Simba Arati who were also formally proposed and seconded for office.

The third nominated Deputy Party Leader, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, however received no proposers nor seconders, and was hence dropped from the position.

This comes as Osotsi and a perceived rebel ODM wing labelled Linda Mwananchi skipped the SDC and held their own parallel ‘People’s’ National Delegates Convention (NDC) at Ufungamano House.

Among other ODM leaders allied to the Linda Mwananchi wing and who attended the paralled NDC are embattled Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.

“The Senator of Vihiga, Godfrey Osotsi, was brought here by the National Governing Council to become a Deputy Party Leader, but we cannot find here a proposer and a seconder. We’re going to drop him as a Deputy Party Leader,” declared Junet at the SDC.

Other top party officials who were also ratified by the delegates include Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga who now formally takes up the seat of National Chairperson, with Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo and John Ariko Namoit as her deputies.

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi was approved for the position of National Organizing Secretary; Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga as Deputy Organizing Secretary, and Kisumu West MP Rozah Buyu as Secretary for Political Affairs.

We respect Oburu as our elder, not as ODM party leader – MP Babu Owino

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino speaks during the Linda Mwananchi NDC at Ufangamano House, Nairobi on March 27, 2026.

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Embakasi East Member or Parliament Babu Owino has openly denounced Dr. Oburu Oginga as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, stating that they recognise him only as an elder, not the political outfit’s chief.

Speaking during the ‘People’s’ National Delegates Convention (NDC) of the Linda Mwananchi faction at Ufangamano House on Friday, the lawmaker questioned the hurried installation of Dr. Oburu as party leader following the death of Raila Odinga, saying members were pressured to endorse the decision.

He blatantly dismissed the move, stating that it did not reflect the values Raila upheld within the ODM party.

“Baba alipofariki, tuliambiwa tuende Mombasa Road. Tukarauka na tuliambiwa tuende tupokee mwili wa Raila Odinga. Tulipofika pale, agenda ilibadilika, walisema party leader ni Oburu Oginga. Wewe ndugu yako amekufa, hajazikwa na wewe unamridhi kama ndugu yako ako kwa sanduku, upuzi si upuzi? Je, huo ni ungwana?” Owino posed. 

“Kisha tunaambiwa ni lazima tufuate huo mwenendo. We will respect Oburu as our elder, not as our leader.”

Babu Owino dismissed the ODM Linda Ground’s Special Delegates Convention (SDC) at Jamhuri Grounds, citing that the true ODM Secretary General was present in the meeting, refering to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. 

“Ile NDC ambayo ni illegal, is that the true spirit of ODM, Raila Odinga or the youth who fought to bring down the towers of oppression and raise the banner of freedom?” Owino posed. 

The meeting took place amid chaos after police officers attempted to disrupt the Linda Mwananchi faction’s NDC.

Despite the interference, party leaders managed to breach the police barricade, gain access to the venue, and continue with the meeting. 

Across town at the Jamhuri Grounds, the ODM SDC formally ratified Dr. Oburu as its substantive party leader, and resolved to kick out Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi – who is a member of the Linda Mwananchi faction – from the Deputy Party Leader position.

Winnie Odinga ditches Sifuna camp for Oburu’s

This is despite the Linda Wananchi camp, which she has been a part of, holding a parallel meeting at Ufungamano House.

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EALA MP and former ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s daughter Winnie Odinga has made a surprise appearance at the ODM’s special NDC at Jamhuri Grounds.

This is despite the Linda Wananchi camp, which she has been a part of, holding a parallel meeting at Ufungamano House.

In her speech Winnie went ahead and recognised Oburu Odinga as the party leader.

She, however, steered clear of the faction politics and instead asked for creation of leadership space and jobs for the young people.

“Leo sikuja kuchoma,” she said, drawing laughter from the room.

“Congratulations my party leader, I recognise you. As they call you the youth leader, I hope you will open space for the young people,” she said.

Winnie also read messages of the youth seeking employment in her DM, saying their plight cannot be overlooked.

“We cannot overlook maandamano and what it has achieved. We cannot overlook the suffering of the young people,” she said.

Kindiki sends goodwill as ODM holds Nairobi NDC

“Good luck, ODM, our partners in the broad-based administration,” Kindiki stated.

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Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has extended goodwill to the Orange Democratic Movement as the party convenes its National Delegates Conference (NDC) at Jamhuri Grounds in Nairobi, in a meeting seen as pivotal to its internal stability and future direction.

Kindiki, in his message shared on X, framed ODM as a partner in the current broad-based political arrangement, signalling the continued working relationship between the ruling side and sections of the opposition.

“Good luck, ODM, our partners in the broad-based administration,” Kindiki stated.

His remarks point to the evolving political landscape, where cooperation between former rivals has become more pronounced following recent engagements between the government and the ODM party.

Kindiki’s message comes amid growing tensions within ODM, where rival factions are holding parallel meetings in Nairobi, exposing deepening divisions within one of Kenya’s largest political parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

The NDC at Jamhuri Grounds, backed by the party’s mainstream leadership, is expected to bring together thousands of delegates from across the country to deliberate on leadership and organisational matters.

At the same time, a rival faction aligned with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has rejected the meeting and planned a separate gathering.

ODM, long associated with opposition politics, has in recent months undergone shifts that have seen parts of its leadership adopt a more conciliatory approach towards the government, even as internal dissent grows.

The current divisions trace back to disagreements over party leadership and direction, with some leaders pushing for consolidation under the existing leadership while others challenge the legitimacy of recent decisions.

Recently, the government has been encouraging inclusive engagement across political divides following the unrest witnessed in 2024.