ODM appoints Oburu Odinga as Interim Party Leader Following Raila’s Passing
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has officially endorsed Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga as the Interim Party Leader after the passing of Raila Odinga. This decision was reached during a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Thursday morning. In a statement delivered by Deputy Party Leader and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir after an emergency NEC meeting in Nairobi, the council announced that Oburu will temporarily lead the party until the top organs of ODM convene to elect a permanent leader. "The NEC has appointed Honourable Dr. Oburu Odinga as the acting party leader until the top party organs convene to elect a permanent leader to fill the significant role left by our late leader," Nassir declared. Oburu, who is also the Senator for Siaya County, is the elder brother of Raila Odinga and has been a long-standing member of ODM’s inner circle. The announcement comes as the nation continues to grieve the former Prime Minister, who passed away in India while receiving treatment. Raila will receive a state funeral and will be interred on Sunday at his home in Bondo, Siaya County, in accordance with his personal wish to be buried within 72 hours of his death. This represents the third formal leadership transition within ODM, the most recent occurring in early 2024, when Odinga briefly delegated internal party responsibilities to Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o while he pursued his bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship. At that time, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna announced that Nyong’o would oversee Central Committee meetings in Raila’s absence, enabling the ODM leader to concentrate on continental diplomatic efforts.
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