Wandayi urges respect for ODM leader Oburu Oginga
By Luke Oluoch, December 6, 2025Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has urged the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to remain united as it wades through its post-Raila Odinga era.
Speaking in Bondo during the burial of Beryl Achieng Odinga on Saturday, December 2025, Wandayi stated that only through party unity will they continue the legacy of their departed leader, Raila Odinga.
He stated that the Odinga family has done a lot in mentoring leaders from the region and fittingly deserved to be honoured through lasting peace.
Peaceful and united
“The only lasting tribute we can pay to Raila Odinga and now Beryl, his sister, is for us to remain united as a people and as a party.
“Baba had a legacy and a dream for our community, which can only be realised by us remaining united,” he stated.
Wandayi equally urged the party members to accord respect to the new ODM leader, Oburu Oginga.
“Here in Luo, all political pilgrimages end at Odinga’s home. When Raila, who was my foremost political mentor, left us prematurely, Oburu Odinga took over the leadership, and we ask that he be accorded the respect,” he stated.
Mutiny in ODM?
Wandayi’s remarks come as a section of party officials on Friday, December 5, 2025, demanded clarity of the allegations that the party was being sold through clandestine deals at State House.
Led by Rachel Tabitha Machoka. The group stated that the allegations were too grave to be ignored.
“Recent allegations publicly raised by our political nemesis, that senior ODM officials have been “selling the party at night” and that deposits have already been paid in these clandestine dealings, are not only gravely disturbing, but strike at the very heart of our party’s integrity and the trust bestowed upon us by millions of loyal members and supporters across the nation,” read the statement in part.
She argued that any secret engagements would amount to a betrayal of the political and moral philosophy of Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, whose legacy she says is grounded in sacrifice, transparency, and unshakeable commitment to democracy.
Seven-day ultimatum
Machoka reserved pointed criticism for Chairperson Gladys Wanga, insisting that she must operate strictly within the limits of her office and accusing her of unilateral decision-making. She notes that the leadership has failed to address earlier calls to convene a National Delegates Convention to elect a substantive party leader.
In her ultimatum, she gave both Wanga and Junet Mohamed seven days to publicly declare whether they have participated in any political or financial negotiations involving ODM without NEC approval, whether any deposits or financial commitments have been received, who authorised any such engagements, and whether undisclosed talks are ongoing.