Ruth Odinga, the sister of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has disclosed their final conversation, revealing that his last words centered on the future of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Speaking during a memorial gathering, Ruth said Raila urged her to ensure the party remained united and strong, even after his passing.
“What you said about our party, that it must remain; you told me that at 8 am the day before you passed on in the morning, that our party must be united, it must be strong,” Ruth recounted emotionally. “ODM must unite, we cannot have one ODM here, another one there being led by some other people who think they own the party.”
She further cautioned those seeking to take over ODM without understanding its history. “Some of you who want to take the party don’t even know how we got it. We are going to go to any negotiation table with a strong, united, one ODM,” she emphasized.
Ruth’s remarks come amid renewed debates within ODM following Raila’s death, particularly about succession and future leadership. To maintain stability, the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has appointed Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, Raila’s elder brother, as Acting Party Leader.
“The NEC has this morning met and unanimously endorsed the designation of Senator of Siaya County Oburu Oginga as the Acting Party Leader. This appointment takes effect immediately,” ODM said in a statement released Thursday.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi assured members that ODM would remain in the broad-based government led by President William Ruto, a partnership established in March this year. “Baba Raila Amolo Odinga has left us in government led by President William Ruto, and that is where we are going to stay till the end,” Wandayi affirmed.
As ODM begins a delicate transition, Ruth’s message serves as a reminder of Raila’s lifelong vision a united, resilient movement anchored in loyalty, strength, and purpose.
