ODM party leaders have dismissed the Nairobi chapter’s endorsement of Siaya Governor James Orengo as the potential successor to Raila Odinga. This decision underscores the ongoing debate and the structured process that ODM will follow in addressing the succession issue.
On Monday, ODM’s Nairobi County officials, spearheaded by Chairman George Aladwa, publicly endorsed Governor Orengo to succeed Raila Odinga. This endorsement came amidst speculations about Odinga’s future, particularly as he vies for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson’s position. The Nairobi chapter’s support for Orengo appeared to be a strategic move to position him as a strong candidate for the party leadership.
However, this move faced immediate pushback from other ODM leaders, who characterized the endorsement as premature. During a meeting held on Tuesday, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and other county chairpersons collectively rejected the notion of an immediate succession plan. Barasa emphasized that discussions about Odinga’s replacement should not be entertained until the party’s official structures have had their say.
“We have resolved that since Baba (Odinga) is still the party leader, a conversation around his succession is premature because we have structures of dealing with appointments of an acting party leader,” Barasa stated. He outlined the procedural roadmap for addressing the succession issue, which includes a meeting of the Central Management Committee, followed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) next week. The National Delegates Conference, scheduled for October, will further deliberate on the matter.
Barasa’s remarks aimed to reassure ODM members that the party has established structures to manage any leadership transitions. He emphasized that the party’s operations and activities across the 47 counties would continue seamlessly despite Odinga’s potential departure. The leadership transition, according to Barasa, will be handled within the party’s established framework to avoid any leadership vacuum.
The Nairobi endorsement, led by Aladwa, was reportedly focused on grassroots strengthening rather than succession. Aladwa himself admitted that the meeting’s agenda primarily revolved around fortifying the party’s base rather than discussing leadership transitions. Nonetheless, sources reveal that Aladwa faced considerable backlash from party members who were frustrated by his unilateral proposal of Orengo without involving the party’s governing council.
The debate over Odinga’s successor highlights the growing tension within ODM as the party prepares for a potential shift in leadership. Odinga, who has been the party’s figurehead since its founding in 2005, is now contemplating an international role that could diminish his national political influence. This imminent transition has ignited intense lobbying and speculation about who will lead ODM in the future.
As ODM navigates this period of potential change, the party’s adherence to its structured approach for leadership succession will be crucial. The upcoming meetings of the Central Management Committee and NEC, followed by the National Delegates Conference, will play a vital role in shaping the future direction of ODM and ensuring a smooth transition if and when Odinga steps down.
In conclusion, the recent developments within ODM reflect the party’s internal dynamics and the complexities of leadership succession. While some members are eager to position new leaders, the party’s official channels are committed to a methodical process that ensures any transition is both orderly and in line with ODM’s longstanding traditions and structures.
