AWICH: Oburu’s tough balancing act as he steps into Raila’s big shoes

ODM acting leader Oburu Oginga is increasingly walking a tight political rope as he assumes the delicate task of steering the political outfit through turbulent waters in the post-Raila era.

Oburu, the elder brother to the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, is taking over the party that for decades revolved around his younger brother’s magnetic personality.

ODM’s national executive committee settled on the 82-year-old to replace Raila and steer it through the transition.

The Siaya senator is coming in at a time the party is rocked with high-voltage politics that threatens to tear it apart.

While a section of senior leaders advocate for continued engagement with the President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration beyond 2027, a younger and more radical wing insists ODM should reclaim its opposition roots and chart their own independent political path.

Oburu is faced with amongst others internal rebellion from youthful firebrands who are openly questioning the wisdom of working with Ruto. The Siaya senator is also expected to lead the Orange team in the November 27 by-elections, which will, for the first time, put to test the party’s unity and strength after Raila.

The senator is thus faced with a delicate balancing act, one that will define not just his leadership, but also the very future of ODM.

In an interview on Tuesday, October 28, the veteran politician admitted that the continued cooperation is dividing the opposition party.

The Young Turks led by secretary-general Edwin Sifuna believe that the pact dilutes ODM’s identity as a watchdog opposition party.

The leaders fear the deal could cost the movement its revolutionary edge that once defined Raila’s politics.

Determined to avert any fallout with old guards keen to have the party back Ruto’s re-election bid, Oburu said the party’s top decision-making organ, the central committee that he chairs, has prevailed for ceasefire amongst the rival factions to reduce political temperatures.

“I have tried to bring the party together and that will be my focus, because if we allow the party to split we would have destroyed Raila’s legacy,” Oburu said during an interview with Ramogi TV.

“We discussed against any premature 2027 talks, we told those pro and against 2027 deals to go slow on their utterances because that is what is going to divide us. We will also not be attacking the broad-based government because we are part of it.”

In a show of reconciliation, Oburu defended Sifuna, who has been vocal against any deal with Ruto’s administration, saying he will not be punished for expressing his views.

He said the firebrand senator has done nothing wrong and is an integral pillar of the outfit.

“You saw he is the one who read our party resolution. I have talked to him, and he has no issues. He is young and among the politicians with a strong opinion. He can at times go overboard, but we are with him in the party.

“As a young man, Sifuna sometimes can become restless and go a little overboard, but he is with us. There is nothing he has done to warrant us removing him from the party,” he added.

Sifuna has recently faced criticism for his hard line position against engagements with the President.

In the same breadth, Oburu also extended an olive branch to Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who has in the recent months questioned the party’s intention regarding the 2027 Nairobi gubernatorial race.

According to the youthful MP, there were all indications that ODM will back incumbent Governor Johnson Sakaja who enjoyed close links with the former premier.

“I do not see anything wrong with Babu Owino, although I hear there are some issues that may be troubling him,” he said.

“I do not know why he believes he cannot be given the ODM ticket to vie for Nairobi governor. I do not think there can be any reason to deny him the ticket if he wins the nominations. If he wins, he will get the ticket, so let him not run away from the party,” he said 

Oburu urged all aspirants to prepare for an open and transparent nomination process, assuring that no candidate will be unfairly treated. 

“Anyone who wants the party ticket in the Nairobi governor race should just declare and square it out openly among each other… let nobody run away because they think they will be denied a chance. Nobody can take the ticket away from you if you win it and you’re a member of the party,” he said. 

He has promised to consult widely, calm tempers and steer the party towards a common purpose ahead of the 2027 election.

“We will not allow ODM to crumble, my focus is to bring the party together and arbitrate in areas where there are problems like Kakamega, Busia and even Nyando and many other areas with challenges.”

Apart from the implosion threatening the outfit, the Siaya senator will once again be the centre of focus as he leads the outfit to the first by-elections battle without Raila.

ODM is putting a fight in Kasipul, Magarini and Ugunja constituencies, seats the party held before they fell vacant.

The party is also eyeing a number of ward level by-elections across the country.

Observers are however skeptical of Oburu’s ability to steer the party and ensure it is intact ahead of the 2027 polls.

United opposition spokesman Mukhisa Kituyi said Raila was the glue that held the party together and no one can fit those shoes.

“Raila could make MPs do what he wanted, and they would follow his lead without question. The party’s unity will now be a thing of the past,” Mukhisa said.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has urged ODM party to shift from single-person leadership if it is to survive and honour the legacy of Raila.

“ODM needs to be led by a council of elders, not one party leader,” Amisi said.

“The first and the last party leader of ODM was our late Baba. Anything else won’t help to preserve the legacy of Raila Odinga.”