The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Oburu Odinga, has taken a sabbatical break to refresh after a series of heated family and political engagements.

The Siaya County Senator has been in the public limelight continuously since the death of his younger brother, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, and was laid to rest on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at his Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya.

Busy schedule

After Raila’s burial, Oburu Odinga led the rest of the ODM family in marking the party’s 20th anniversary in Mombasa in mid-November 2025. He has also been on different campaign trails drumming up support for ODM candidates seeking different elective seats in the November 27 by-election across the country.

On Friday night, November 21, 2025, Oburu Odinga confirmed taking a break from the high-octane political engagements.

”Feeling grateful for good health and high spirits. Taking a short sabbatical to recollect, recharge, and reset,” Oburu took to X.

As he takes charge of ODM, Oburu has criticised a section of party members, described as disloyal to his late brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. He made the remarks during the commemoration of two decades of the political outfit in Mombasa on Saturday, November 15, 2025.

“Kufika hapa mbele yenu. Kwanza nimefika hapa kama mwanzilishi wa ODM. Mimi nimekaa kwa hii chama tangu day one. Leo asubuhi tulionyeshwa mapictures ya Raila, ndugu yangu. Ndugu yangu ambaye tumepoteza na mpaka sasa mimi sijaamini Raila hayuko,” he said.

“Mimi bado nalia, na mliskia mtoto yangu Winnie akisema ati mimi nilikuwa nasukumwa sana na bado ninaomboleza rafiki yangu, ndugu yangu, confidant yangu Raila Amolo Odinga ambaye tumekaa na yeye ndunia “hii miaka 80. Hayo yote mlikuwa mmeyaona Raila amefanya huko, ameenda huko, mimi nilikuwa hapo. Hakuna mahali mimi sikukuwako,” Oburu added.

‘ODM in wrong hands’

At the same time, Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi has claimed that Raila Odinga left the party leadership in the wrong hands, adding that those mandated to steer the ship of ODM lack what it takes to lead.

Speaking on a local TV station on Monday, November 17, 2025, Amisi said the push and pull and disagreements among ODM members will not let Raila Odinga rest in peace, further stating that the current leadership at the helm of ODM is unconstitutional.