Oburu Odinga meets ODM top leaders at Chungwa House
By Faith Lagat, October 27, 2025Acting Party Leader Oburu Oginga visited Chungwa House, the ODM headquarters, on Monday, October 27, 2025, marking his first official engagement at the helm following his endorsement by ODM delegates from the four Nyanza counties.
The visit reflects a pivotal moment for the party as it navigates leadership transition amid mourning and strategic planning.
The ODM party shared details of the visit via its official X account, stating, “Ag. Party Leader @dr_oburuoginga visited Chungwa House this morning. He had a feel of his new office and held a brief meeting with the SG @edwinsifuna, ED @ongwen, and Dep. Org. Sec. @RuthOdinga42. Karibu Mhe. Dkt. Oburu Oginga #TukoTayari.”
The post included images of Oburu settling into his new office and engaging with key party officials, reflecting a smooth handover of responsibilities.
Endorsement by Nyanza delegates
The development follows a formal endorsement by ODM delegates from Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, and Homa Bay counties, announced on Friday, October 24, 2025.
The party confirmed the unanimous backing of Oburu, highlighting his experience and capability to lead. “ODM delegates from the Counties of Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, and Homabay have this afternoon endorsed the Senator of Siaya County, Oburu Oginga, to succeed our departed Leader, Raila Odinga as the party leader,” the statement read.
It further noted, “They say he has experience and is capable of leading the party,” emphasising the regional consensus around his leadership.
The endorsement marks the first coordinated declaration by grassroots ODM members since Raila Odinga’s passing.
Oburu, a long-time ally and elder brother to Raila, represents a bridge to the party’s founding vision. His appointment as acting leader immediately after Raila’s demise, now cemented by the Nyanza delegates, aims to preserve the political legacy of the Odinga family within ODM.
Collaborative approach to transition
Senior leaders in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have urged youthful politicians within the party to exercise patience and avoid rushing to position themselves as successors to the late party leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Speaking during a delegates meeting at Opoda Farm in Bondo on October 26, 2025, ODM chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga emphasised that there was no leadership vacuum following Raila’s death, noting that the Luo community remained united under the guidance of Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga.
She cautioned that premature jostling for leadership could fracture the unity Raila had built over decades, calling on younger MPs to focus on strengthening the party rather than promoting themselves as regional kingpins.
During the Chungwa House visit, Oburu met with Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, Executive Director Ong’wen, and Deputy Organizing Secretary Ruth Odinga, signalling a collaborative approach to the leadership transition.