While Odinga is expected to retain his role as the party leader, a series of changes will see familiar faces stepping up to take key positions.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has proposed changes to its top leadership in what looks like a preparation for a complete transition of power with party leader Raila Odinga setting his sights on the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position.
The ODM Central Committee held a meeting on Friday afternoon, August 9 to deliberate on matters affecting the leadership of the Party in light of vacancies created in its leadership following the resignations of its two Deputy Party Leaders, national Chairman, the Secretary for political affairs and a member of the Parties Elections Coordinating Committee.
While Odinga is expected to retain his role as the party leader, a series of changes will see familiar faces stepping up to take key positions.
“Needless to say, these vacancies have attracted immense interest from across our membership. We wish to thank all those who offered themselves to serve acknowledging that many of them have already been of great service to the Party.
ODM leader, Raila Odinga with his former members who have since been appointed to President William Ruto’s Cabinet. /ODM KENYA
“Whilst not all of us can lead at the same time, we wish to encourage those who may not get the nod that there will always be space for all of you to contribute,” party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna stated in part.
The meeting resolved to make the following recommendations to the National Executive Committee in order to fill the vacancies;
- Kakuta Maimai, MP Kajiado East, was named Secretary for special programs and social welfare.
- Rahab Robi (Migori) was fronted as Secretary of Publicity and Information
- Rosa Buyu was proposed for the position of Secretary for Political Affairs
- Raila’s sister and Kisumu women’s representative, Ruth Odinga was fronted as ODM Deputy Organizing Secretary
- MPs John Ariko and Otiende Amollo were fronted as vice chairmen of the ODM party.
- Gladys Wanga, the Governor of Homa Bay, will now serve as the party Chairperson
- Godfrey Osotsi, Kisii Governor Simba Arati and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sherriff Nassir were fronted as Deputy Party Leaders
“As you may have noticed, the Central Committee has proposed three names for Deputy Party Leader. We will be making a recommendation to the NEC and the NGC to make the necessary changes to our constitution to reflect this,” added the statement.
Wanga is set to replace John Mbadi in the capacity after the latter was appointed Treasury Cabinet Secretary by President William Ruto.
Osotsi, Arati and Nassir will occupy positions vacated by Wycliffe Oparanya and Hassan Joho who served as Deputy Party Leaders, and have since assumed roles as Cooperatives and Mining CS respectively, with Opiyo Wandayi, the National Assembly Minority Leader, resigning to take up the CS position in the Energy docket.
This discontent has been exacerbated by the recent appointments of top ODM figures to government positions, leaving some regional leaders feeling marginalised.
The call for a fair distribution of leadership roles therefore is a response to what some view as an imbalance in how power is shared among the party’s diverse regions.
Furthermore, the appointment of the ODM honchos to the government sparked backlash amongst members of the public, who felt that the opposition party was captured when least expected.
However, the opposition party led by the former Prime Minister, reiterated that there is no agreement of any nature between it and Kenya Kwanza.
It affirmed that it remains a member of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition and will continue to play its opposition role alongside other parties to push for accountability, transparency and equity in governance and public affairs.
Nairobi Senator, Edwin Sifuna speaking after an ODM Central Committee meeting with leaders from Migori and Kisii Counties on May 8, 2024. /EDWIN SIFUNA