Gladys Wanga vows to serve ODM with dedication as new party chair
By Luke Oluoch, November 14, 2025
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has promised to serve the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) with utmost dedication following her official confirmation as the new party national chairperson during the ODM at 20 celebrations held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, in Mombasa.
Wanga was among the new party officials confirmed in permanent roles after serving in an acting capacity alongside newly ratified party leader Oburu Oginga, who now takes over the role from his younger brother, the late Raila Odinga.
In her acceptance speech, Wanga, who expressed her elation for being the first woman to hold the position, promised to continue the gains started by Raila and ensure the party remains steadfast.
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“I am deeply honoured and grateful for the party’s national governing council to consider me to be national chairperson of the party. This actually is the first time a woman gets to hold this position in the party,” she stated.
She acknowledged that through the sacrifices made by Raila, ODM had been able to remain standing and look into the future with hope.
Raila’s legacy
“I would like to remember our departed party leader for steering this party to the level it is today. He built a party that can stand strong based on institutions. Today we are able to sit here as the national governing convention because of the work he put in for the last 20 years,” she said.
“As we stand here today, we will stand by the people. We will not let them. It is my commitment we will move this party forward, and secure gains such as devolution, democratic gains, and inclusivity,” she added.
The Special Session of the party’s National Governing Council also approved Senator Oburu Oginga as the party leader.
Deputy Party Leaders Abdulswamad Nassir, Simba Arati, and Godfrey Osoti were also approved, with the council also giving the green light to Ariko Namoit and Otiende Amollo as vice chairpersons.
In addition, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga and Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu were approved as Deputy Organising Secretary and Secretary of Political Affairs, respectively. All appointments, however, remain subject to ratification by the National Delegates Convention (NDC).