Oburu Odinga Consolidates Power as ODM's New Leader Amid Party Divisions
Nairobi, 27 March 2026
Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has officially secured the ODM party leadership following a decisive Special Delegates Convention on 27 March 2026 at Jamhuri Grounds, Nairobi. The transition marks the end of Raila Odinga’s decades-long dominance over Kenya’s main opposition party. Delegates ratified key appointments including Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and Kisii Governor Simba Arati as deputy leaders, whilst dramatically rejecting Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi after he failed to secure endorsement. Winnie Odinga emerged as a unifying voice, advocating for youth engagement and party values restoration. The leadership shake-up comes as ODM faces internal factional tensions, with Edwin Sifuna’s breakaway group holding rival meetings, setting the stage for Kenya’s 2027 electoral battles.
Leadership Ratification Amid Internal Tensions
The formal ratification process on 27 March 2026 saw Suna East MP Junet Mohamed presiding over the endorsement, declaring “Now Senator Oburu Oginga is the party leader of ODM” after delegates voted overwhelmingly in favour [1]. Oburu had been serving in an acting capacity for five months prior to this formal confirmation [1]. However, the convention exposed deep factional divisions when Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi’s nomination as deputy party leader collapsed spectacularly. “Since there is no proposer and seconder for Godfrey Osotsi, that means he cannot be the party deputy leader,” Mohamed announced, citing Osotsi’s alignment with Edwin Sifuna’s breakaway faction [1]. The rejection represented a clear signal of the new leadership’s intolerance for internal dissent.
New Power Structure Takes Shape
The convention successfully ratified a comprehensive leadership structure with Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga confirmed as National Chairperson [1][2]. Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir and Kisii Governor Simba Arati secured positions as deputy party leaders, whilst Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo and Turkana South MP John Namoit were endorsed as deputy national chairpersons [2]. Additional appointments included Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi as National Organising Secretary, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Adhiambo Odinga as Deputy Organising Secretary, and Kisumu West MP Rozah Buyu as Secretary of Political Affairs [2]. This extensive reshuffle demonstrates Oburu’s determination to consolidate control across all party organs.
Oburu’s Vision for Power and Unity
In his address to delegates, Oburu delivered an uncompromising message about the party’s future direction. “We are not ashamed to say we want power and we are going to remain in power… Without power, you cannot implement any policy… Power first, everything else follows,” he declared [2]. The new leader warned against internal rebellion, stating that “Democracy does not mean chaos. It is not intolerance. It is actually just going by the principles of democracy” [2]. His emphasis on discipline reflected concerns about factional challenges, particularly from Edwin Sifuna’s group, which held a rival “People’s Delegate Convention” at Ufungamano House on the same day [3]. Oburu stressed that capturing power in the 2027 General Election required “an organised party and a disciplined party” [2].
Winnie Odinga’s Unifying Message and Future Vision
Raila Odinga’s daughter emerged as a significant voice at the convention, throwing her support behind her uncle whilst articulating a vision for party renewal. “Today I stand before you not just as a proud life member of ODM but as a voice of the vibrant, hopeful and resilient young Kenyans,” Winnie told delegates [2][3]. She emphasised returning to foundational principles, stating “What I wanted us to bring back into context is the values of this party. The values that created the foundations of this party… that we built 20 years ago” [2][3]. Her intervention appeared designed to bridge generational divides within the party whilst advocating for youth recruitment, dialogue, and social justice as core elements of a “new ODM” [3]. The delegates also ratified a National Executive Committee resolution to pursue coalition-building talks with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance, with Oburu confirming plans to “remain in this broad-based arrangement up to 2027” [2].