Acting Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Dr. Oburu Oginga has hit back at critics who claim he is too old to steer the party following the death of his younger brother and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Speaking on Sunday, November 2, 2025, in Magarini, Kilifi County, during a campaign tour ahead of the November 27 by-elections, the Siaya Senator maintained that he has the experience and capacity to guide the ODM through its transition period.
“Hii chama yetu ya ODM, wengine wanasema sasa Oburu miaka imeenda. Na sababu gani anachukua chama ya wazee? Angalieni viongozi wa hapa, Abdulswamad ni kijana si kijana? Na wale wengine kama Sifuna wote ni vijana,” Oburu said.
He emphasized that ODM is not a party for the elderly but one that embraces young people, including the Gen Z generation. “ODM ni chama ya vijana na ni chama ya Gen Z kama Oburu Oginga, na nahimiza vijana wajiunge na chama ya ODM,” he added.
Oburu was appointed as acting party leader on October 16, 2025, by the National Executive Council (NEC), just a day after Raila’s passing in India. The Central Committee later reaffirmed his appointment, with Secretary General Edwin Sifuna urging members to support Oburu during the transition.
“This being the first meeting of the committee since the passing of the party leader, we endorse Hon. Dr. Oburu Oginga as the new party leader and urge the party rank and file to support him,” Sifuna stated.
However, critics have questioned ODM’s choice. Embakasi North MP James Gakuya termed Oburu’s appointment a “serious mistake,” arguing that Raila’s death has exposed the party’s lack of structured succession planning.
Former Agriculture Minister Kipruto Arap Kirwa also warned that concentrating power around Oburu could deepen internal divisions. He noted that ODM, like many Kenyan parties, risks instability due to overreliance on individual leadership rather than institutional strength.
As ODM seeks to consolidate its base, Oburu’s leadership will be closely watched to see whether he can unify the party and sustain Raila’s political legacy.
