- ODM has found itself in a situation where it has to move forward without its founding leader, Raila Odinga
- Odinga founded the party in 2005, and since then, he has remained its leader until his death on October 15, 2025
- Socio-political commentator Martin Chomba opened up on how each of the party officials can help drive Raila’s agenda and legacy
For nearly twenty years, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has been the moral and political voice of Kenya.
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The party led by the late Raila Amollo Odinga has been home to reformers, idealists, and believers in justice. Following the former Prime Minister’s death, ODM must chart its way forward without its founder.
Can current ODM leadership guard Raila’s legacy?
Socio-political and economic commentator Martin Chomba notes that Raila has left behind a strong team that is capable of guarding his legacy.
Chomba argues that each of the officials of the Orange party has a unique attribute that will help the party going forward.
He describes the party’s national chairperson, Gladys Wanga, as a calm strength with the ability to balance firmness and empathy, representing ODM’s growth in gender inclusion.
“Her soft tone hides great ability, though it sometimes makes her seem too reserved in a noisy political field,” notes the social political commentator.
For the deputy party leader, Simba Arati, Chomba notes that he brings raw energy and boldness.
His direct language, the analyst argues, connects with the people, but his fiery style needs balance to keep allies close.
“Dr Oburu Odinga, the acting party leader, carries the weight of family legacy and wisdom. Even he knows, however, that ODM’s future must grow beyond one family name,” he notes.
Other ODM leaders that Chomba believes will be instrumental in guarding the party’s legacy are Kisumu governor Peter Anyang Nyong’o, Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir and former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya, who is now the Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary.
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CSs John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi are also listed among those who can help guard ODM and Odinga’s legacy.
“Together, they form the backbone of ODM, the memory of its struggle and the conscience of its discipline,” notes the political commentator.
However, Chomba singled out two ODM leaders, whom he described as the best link between experience and renewal.
The two are Siaya governor James Orengo and Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna, who doubles up as the ODM secretary general.
Can Orengo fit in Raila’s shoes?
According to the political commentator, Orengo commands respect across factions and could calmly guide ODM through transition. On the other side, he describes Sifuna as the ODM’s modern voice.
“He connects easily with Kenya’s youth and urban voters. His strength is clarity; his test is to match passion with diplomacy,” Chomba told TUKO.co.ke.
Sifuna has, however, faced criticisms from a section of ODM leaders following his opposition to the party’s partnership with the government.
During Odinga’s burial mass in Bondo, Siaya county, the Nairobi senator dismissed arguments that Odinga wanted the party to remain supporting President William Ruto until the 2027 General Election.
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He argued that the last direction was for them to prepare for the upcoming election.
“Baba Raila Odinga spoke openly to the country on September 22 to the ODM MPs. I asked leaders not to come up with non-existent statements. Baba said that ODM must prepare for the 2027 General Election. To those spreading non-existent pronouncements, Baba wondered where you got all that from,” Sifuna said.
His statement was a subtle response to governors Wanga, Nassir, and Arati, who declared the party would remain in the broad-based government, where Raila left them.
Previously, political analyst Herman Manyora had warned that any attempts to kick Sifuna out of the party would be the start of its end.
For Chomba, ODM’s future will depend not on loud voices but on solid systems.
“Its past was built on one man’s will, but its future must rest on collective wisdom. No single leader can now match Raila Odinga’s authority across all regions and ages,” he said.
He also proposed scrapping the party leader position in ODM and replacing it with a Council of Leaders, which will be mandated to make joint decisions, guide policy, and mentor upcoming leaders.
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A similar model is used by the United Kingdom’s Labour Party and South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC).
“ODM can do the same, letting Orengo’s wisdom, Sifuna’s communication, Wanga’s organisation, and Babu’s youthful drive work together instead of competing. Such a structure will build continuity through cooperation, not conflict,” the political commentator said.
Which political path will ODM take after Raila’s death?
Previously, TUKO.co.ke reported that ODM delegates had announced the political path the party will take after its leader’s death.
The delegates made known their stand after a meeting convened by the acting party leader, Oburu Oginga.
There have been questions over the future of ODM going into the 2027 General Election, with party officials openly sharing divergent views.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
