Oburu Ng’ong’a Odinga has been chosen to be the acting party leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) following the death of his younger brother, Raila Odinga. The decision was endorsed by ODM’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
“The NEC has designated the Senator of Siaya County, Dr. Oburu Odinga, to be the acting party leader until the time that the top party organs meet and elect a substantive party leader to fill the big shoes that have been left by our leader,” said ODM Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Nassir.
This move was guided by the need for unity and continuity within the ODM party. Oburu faces a host of challenges in trying to take the mantle left by his brother.
The ODM party has multiple factions and strong personalities. Maintaining the loyalty of the members will be one of Oburu’s biggest tests. Keeping the opposition coalition, Azimio and ODM, intact in the post-Raila phase is important.
Raila’s charismatic appeal, which was built on memorable speeches and protest politics, is hard to match. Oburu will need to find his own voice and style while respecting the expectations of many. As acting leader, Oburu will be judged on whether he can maintain or even expand the legacy that Raila left behind.
Oburu’s strength lies in his regional influence as Senator of Siaya, a stronghold of ODM. He shares the heritage, which is the Odinga name, a powerhouse of opposition leaders. Additionally, he is someone less polarizing than some of the party’s heavyweights, he may be able to hold the party together with fewer internal clashes.
The task ahead for Oburu Odinga is enormous. The question is whether he can reshape it in a way that honors his brother’s legacy while also adapting to a new political terrain.
Raila was a symbol and a challenger of systems. Oburu has the chance to help steer ODM’s transition to the next generation.
