ODM Officially Elects Oburu Odinga as Party Leader at SDC

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has officially confirmed Oburu Odinga as the party leader after serving in an acting capacity for the past five months.

His election was ratified during the party’s Special Delegates Conference held on Friday, March 27, at the Jamhuri Grounds in Nairobi, where members endorsed his leadership and affirmed confidence in his ability to steer the party forward.

“Now that we have a proposer and a seconder. Let me ask the question. As many of that opinion say ‘Aye’ and as many of the contrary opinion say ‘No’, the Ayes have it. Now Senator Oburu Oginga is the party leader of ODM,” posed Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.

Oburu Odinga had been holding the position on an interim basis following internal party changes, during which he oversaw party operations and maintained party unity. 

ODM’s special delegates conference brought together delegates from across the country, serving as a platform to deliberate on the party’s leadership and direction.

Approved ODM Deputy Party Leaders

At the same time, the party delegates approved Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir as the deputy party leader alongside his Kisii Counterpart Simba Arati.

However, the ratification process took a dramatic turn after delegates declined to approve Vihiga Senator, Godfrey Osotsi, as the third deputy party leader.

This is after the lawmaker’s ratification process failed to secure the required proposer and seconder, consequently leading to his disapproval.

“Since there is no proposer and seconder for Godfrey Osotsi, that means he cannot be the party deputy leader,” stated Junet.

“The Senator, Godfrey Osotsi’s name was brought here by the National Governing Council to be the deputy party leader, but we cannot find here a proposer and a seconder, and now we are going to drop him as the deputy party leader,” he added.

The development comes on the back of Osotsi’s realignment with ODM’s breakaway faction led by Edwin Sifuna, Babu Owino, and Siaya Governor James Orengo.

Ratified Party Chairperson & Deputies

During the meeting, the ODM delegates also approved the appointment of Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga to be the official party’s National Chairperson.

She will be deputised by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo alongside his Turkana South counterpart John Ariko Namoit, whose ratifications were also announced during the event.