Thank you ODM, I won't let you down – Oburu

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) acting party leader, Oburu Odinga, has pledged to carry forward his brother, the late Raila Odinga’s political legacy, as best as he can.

Addressing ODM allied leaders and members during the State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday, Oburu assured that he will not disappoint, thanking the party leaders for naming him to the position.

“I want to thank my party, ODM, for making me the party leader,” he said, briefly after giving a moving tribute to Raila, and turning to politics, the very arena that defined the fallen’s public life.

Noting that ODM is the oldest and largest party in East and Central Africa, Oburu said, “I will take that mantle with vigour and I must assure you, my colleagues, that I will not disappoint.”

Oburu, however, acknowledged, in humility, the magnitude of the legacy before him.

“Even though the shoes of Raila are too big to be filled. I just want to try my best. I want to try my best,” he said.

This comes a day after the Orange party appointed the Siaya Senator as the Acting Party Leader, following a unanimous decision by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

In a statement issued on Thursday morning, ODM announced that the NEC had met and unanimously endorsed Oburu’s designation.

“The National Executive Committee (NEC) has this morning met and unanimously endorsed the designation of the Senator of Siaya County Dr. Oburu Oginga, as the Acting Party Leader. This appointment takes effect immediately,” the party said in a brief statement posted on its official platforms on Thursday.

Oburu steps into the role at a critical time for the party as it begins a transition process following Raila’s death on Wednesday.

The appointment of Oburu is expected to ensure continuity in leadership as the party prepares to chart its next course.

The NEC’s decision marks the first major internal move by ODM since the loss of its founding leader, whose political career spanned over four decades.

ODM has been one of Kenya’s most influential political movements, playing a central role in shaping the country’s opposition politics for nearly two decades.