Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has urged the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) youth to take up leadership and drive the party toward national victory, anchoring her call on Raila Odinga’s long-held vision of a “glory land.”

Addressing hundreds of young delegates in Mombasa during the second day of ODM at 20 celebrations on Friday, November 14, 2025, Wanga said the youth must serve as the party’s engine as it charts its future path.

Her remarks came a day after she was officially endorsed as the party’s National Chairperson, becoming the first woman to hold the position.

The National Governing Council also approved Senator Oburu Oginga as party leader, alongside deputy party leaders Abdulswamad Nassir, Simba Arati, and Godfrey Osotsi. Other approvals included vice chairpersons Otiende Amollo and Ariko Namoit, Deputy Organising Secretary Ruth Odinga, and Secretary of Political Affairs Rosa Buyu, ahead of final ratification at the National Delegates Convention.

Also watch: Before his death, Raila Odinga had urged the youth to join the ODM party,

Youth told to lead ODM’s journey to 2027

During the youth forum, Wanga delivered a direct call to action, saying young members must take ownership of the party. “Mimi nataka niseme hivi kwa vijana, ODM ni nyinyi, hii chama ni ya vijana… ile heshima tunaweza kumpatia Baba, ni kuchunga, kupenda na kuingia, kujisajili, na kusonga mbele na chama cha ODM… kuhakikisha ya kwamba ikifika 2027, uongozi wa Kenya inachukuliwa na ODM, hiyo ndio kazi yetu,” she said.

She reinforced the message, calling on youth to scale up mobilisation. “Hakuna kitu itafanyika kwa chama bila vijana wa ODM, ODM Youth, Take over the party, make it vibrant and strong and take us to Canaan,” she added.

Wanga also referenced Raila Odinga’s 2022 Kasarani message as a symbolic handover. “I have been to the mountain top, I have seen the glory land… together you will get there,” she quoted, saying the party must continue the journey.

Her address complemented broader anniversary plans, including the launch of the Raila Odinga Leadership Academy to train young leaders, as ODM marks two decades since its formation.

Uphold ODM ideals

In her acceptance speech, Wanga expressed gratitude to the party and reaffirmed her commitment to protect ODM’s gains. “I am deeply honoured and grateful for the party’s national governing council to consider me to be the national chairperson of the party. This actually is the first time a woman gets to hold this position in the party,” she said.

She paid tribute to Raila Odinga’s legacy, noting his role in entrenching strong party institutions. “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,” Wanga said.

She added that ODM would continue defending reforms. “As we stand here today, we will stand by the people. We will not let them. It is my commitment that we will move this party forward and secure gains such as devolution, democratic gains, and inclusivity.”