Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has emerged as the undisputed political anchor of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in Nyanza barely two months after the death of party founder Raila Odinga on October 15, 2025.

In a detailed post on X dated December 5, 2025, political activist Kasmuel McOure outlines why Wanga is not only weathering the post-Raila transition but also consolidating authority across the region.

“I oft highlight the person of Governor Gladys Wanga because of the pivotal role she plays in the Orange Democratic Movement,” McOure writes.

“ODM is the most strategic inheritance and the most effective instrument for advancing the Kenyan Project bequeathed to us by our departed statesman, H.E. Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, C.G.H.”

A dual mandate strengthening ODM

Wanga holds two powerful positions: National Chairperson of ODM and Governor of Homa Bay County. According to Article 18.1 of the ODM Party Constitution, cited by McOure, the National Chairperson is mandated to provide leadership, oversee party management, articulate party policies, enforce discipline, foster unity, and consult the Party Leader on contentious matters.

Kasmuel noted that Wanga is the most consequential leader after the Party Leader and his deputies outlining her responsibilities. “1.Providing leadership and overseeing the overall management and functioning of the Party. 2.Articulating and defending Party policies. 3.Ensuring discipline and proper order within the Party in accordance with the Party Constitution”.

“4.Fostering unity within Party organs and among the Party rank and file, and ensuring a healthy working relationship between officers and members.5.Consulting and taking counsel from the Party Leader on any matter in contention or controversy within the Party or among its members.”

“On all these fronts, she has executed her duties with distinction,” McOure states. As Governor, she has equally excelled in fulfilling Article 189 of the Constitution, which outlines cooperation between national and county governments.

“She has demonstrated that structured collaboration is possible even where political alignment differs, and she has done so without compromising ODM’s ideological purity,” McOure notes, describing her as a formidable mobiliser, a consensus builder of rare aptitude, and one of the most adaptable leaders in the Orange Democratic Movement.

Resistance and political undercurrents

McOure addresses resistance to Wanga within Homa Bay, attributing it to “a small cohort of disgruntled actors” who defected to UDA after failing to match her influence. “They lacked the agility, intellect and organisational clarity that she commands with ease,” he writes.

According to Kasmuel, these individuals are now exploiting Baba’s demise and using proximity to Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo to launder their past and weaponise it against the ODM National Chairperson.

He adds, “They were rejected before. They will be rejected again, because the people of Nyanza recognise their chicanery.”

ODM’s post-Raila future

McOure insists Nyanza remains firmly ODM and argues that UDA’s expansion strategy in the region is fundamentally flawed.

“As ODM, our commitment is firm. We will defend our Party, consolidate our gains, and prepare ourselves to form government in 2027… Our National Chairperson shall be respected.”