Oburu Odinga reflects on Raila’s loss, ushers in 2026 New Year with message of unity
By Kiprono Keileb, January 1, 2026ODM party leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has marked the start of 2026 with a reflective message to Kenyans, looking back at a difficult 2025 that saw both pain and progress for the country and his party.
In a statement shared on X on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, Oburu spoke as a grieving brother, a party leader, and a national figure, urging Kenyans to take stock of the past year while preparing for the future together.
“I wish all Kenyans a happy and prosperous new year. As we begin the new year, we take into account the year which has ended. 2025 has had its ups and downs,” Oburu said
Oburu’s message acknowledged the mixed reality many families experienced over the past year. Across the country, 2025 was marked by moments of sorrow and resilience, with communities facing deaths, hardship, and uncertainty, even as some areas recorded progress in development and social efforts. His words struck a familiar tone for many Kenyans who are entering the new year carrying both grief and guarded optimism.
“We have had losses of lives, but we have also had progress in terms of development,” he stated
At the centre of Oburu’s reflection was the personal and political loss of his younger brother, Raila Odinga, who was also the long-serving leader of the Orange Democratic Movement. The loss, he said, was deeply felt within his family and across the party, which Raila led for decades and shaped into a major force in Kenyan politics. Oburu also noted that ODM lost other leaders during the year, further compounding the sense of mourning within the party ranks.
“We take cognisance of the big loss of our party leader, Raila Odinga whois my younger brother and loss of some of the other leaders, but we generally made some progress as the ODM party,” he said
ODM’s clear vision
Despite the pain of bereavement, Oburu’s message carried a tone of resolve. He suggested that even in loss, ODM continued to function and move forward, guided by its structures and collective spirit. As Kenyans step into 2026, his remarks pointed to unity, reflection, and steady preparation, especially as the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election.