Oburu confirmed as ODM party leader as Registrar of Political Parties gazettes new officials
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, February 6, 2026The office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has issued a Gazette notice confirming new officials of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). In the notice, Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has been confirmed as the new party leader.
In Gazette notice number 1157, dated January 19, 2026, the office of the registrar of political parties has named Oburu as the new party leader, taking over the position months after the death of the former party leader, the late Raila Odinga.
“In exercise of powers conferred by section 10 (1) (c) of the Political Parties Act, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties gives notice that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) intends to change its party officials as follows,” the ORPP’s Gazette notice read in part.
Oburu has been in an acting capacity as the party leader since the death of his brother, the late Raila Odinga.
In other changes, as confirmed in the gazette notice, the position of deputy party leader in charge of strategies has been assumed by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir, taking over from Wycliff Ambetsa Oparanya, who is the current Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs.
The position of the deputy party leader in charge of operations has shifted from Ali Hassan Joho, who is the current Cabinet Secretary for Mining, to Kisii Governor Simba Arati. Arati is the immediate former deputy chairperson in charge of strategy and political affairs of the ODM party, a position assumed by Rarienda constituency Member of Parliament Paul Otiende Amollo.
Further, the party named Homabay Governor Gladys Wanga as the new National Chairperson, a position previously held by John Mbadi, who is currently serving in the broad-based government as the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury.
Wajir Governor, who is also the chairperson of the council of governors, Ahmed Abdillahi, has been named the National Organising Secretary of the party, a position previously occupied by Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim. Governor Abdillahi will be deputised by Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, who will take over from Rozaah Buyu.
The latter has been named for the position of secretary for political affairs, taking over from James Opiyo Wandayi, who is the current Cabinet Minister for Energy.
The office of the registrar of political parties issued a notice to persons with written submissions concerning the intended changes to do so within seven days from the date of publication of the gazette notice.