The race to replace Raila as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader has begun, with a group of Nairobi County delegates supporting Siaya Governor James Orengo for the coveted position.
All 17 branch officials who attended a meeting chaired by Nairobi County ODM chair George Aladwa expressed their confidence in the party’s leadership under the Siaya governor.
Raila Odinga is expected to resign as he pursues the position of chairman of the African Union Commission (AUC).
The party’s central management committee is expected to meet to discuss the upcoming changes.
“There will be a vacuum for the position of the party leader after the exit of Raila Odinga so we were proposing the Governor of Siaya, James Orengo, to be considered for the position of ODM’s party leader,” Aladwa asserted.
“We as delegates from Nairobi have agreed unanimously to support Governor Orengo to succeed Raila Odinga.”
Catherine Okoth, chairperson of the ODM women’s league, urged the party leader to consider more women for party positions.
“We are asking our party leader to appoint more opportunities for women to lead in our party. So that our female members can work for the party,” she urged.
The move comes as various factions within the party have been positioning to succeed ODM party leader Raila as he seeks to be elected to the AU Chairmanship in February 2025.
ODM, which is part of the Azimio coalition, has faced criticism from principal parties, who want the party to leave the opposition, citing Raila’s potential departure to the AU if elected.
It comes after ODM Party Chairperson Gladys Wanga warned party members on Saturday not to promote succession politics within the party.
Instead, she urged party members to change their stance and focus on strengthening the party ahead of the upcoming grassroots elections, dismissing succession discussions as premature.
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