Siaya County MP Christine Ombaka has cautioned youthful members of ODM against rushing to take over party leadership, urging them to go slow on their ambitions and prioritise unity.

Speaking during the disbursement of Ksh4.8 million of NGAAF bursaries in Siaya, Ombaka acknowledged turbulence within ODM following the passing of their former party leader, Raila Odinga.

She noted that some members perceive a leadership vacuum and are eager to assert themselves, but warned that haste could fracture the party.

The lawmaker said that some of the youthful members of the ODM party are over-ambitious and are trying to take this opportunity to begin to be felt in the community, but warned that they must learn to be patient.

Ombaka described the current wrangles within the ODM party as “teething problems” that would eventually settle, emphasising that ODM remains the largest and most organised political party in Kenya.

She dismissed suggestions of defections, saying that leaving ODM for smaller outfits would be “a wrong mistake politically” for any of the youthful members.

The legislator has therefore urged young politicians to study the political environment carefully and plan for the future rather than rushing into leadership contests.

She stressed that patience had been key in her own political journey and encouraged the youth to emulate that discipline.

“They are young, we appreciate. But all of us were young once upon a time, and we were patient. Even me, I wouldn’t be where I am if I wasn’t patient with my life,” she said.

The Siaya County MP underscored that ODM is “there to stay” and continues to expand its membership base nationwide. She insisted that youthful ambition should not come at the expense of party unity, warning that breaking ODM would leave its members politically stranded.

Ombaka concluded by reaffirming ODM’s resilience and its central role in Kenya’s political future, predicting that it will remain “the party to watch” in the 2027–2032 leadership cycle.