Energy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Opiyo Wandayi has declared that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party will remain in government and continue working closely with President William Ruto beyond the 2027 General Election.
Speaking from Raila Odinga’s home in Bondo, Wandayi who is a life member of ODM expressed gratitude to the former Prime Minister for steering the party toward collaboration with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“I want to affirm that Baba has left us in the government led by President William Ruto, and that is where we are going to stay till the end,” Wandayi said. “I can dare say, without fear of contradiction, that we are going to walk step by step with President William Ruto to the end, now and beyond 2027.”
The CS’s remarks come amid ODM’s transition period following the death of Raila Odinga. Wandayi further backed the decision by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to appoint Raila’s elder brother, Dr. Oburu Odinga, as the acting party leader.
He called on the ODM leadership to move swiftly in confirming Oburu’s appointment, proposing a National Delegates’ Convention (NDC) soon after Raila’s send-off.
“ODM Party, which I belong to and all of us here belong to, has made a very wise decision to appoint Dr. Oburu Odinga as the acting party leader,” Wandayi stated. “I will be proposing that the ODM convenes soon after Baba’s send-off to formally elect him as the party leader.”
Wandayi praised Oburu Odinga as a seasoned leader capable of guiding ODM into a new era while maintaining cooperation with President Ruto’s government.
Dr. Oburu Odinga’s appointment took effect immediately following the NEC’s emergency meeting and will remain in force until a substantive leader is elected.
