ODM leader Oburu Oginga has received a major boost after Nairobi delegates endorsed him, intensifying the contest for the party’s top seat ahead of a National Delegates Convention.
The development comes even as Oburu challenged critics questioning his legitimacy, daring them to test their claims at the party’s NDC. The date of the NDC is yet to be announced.
The Nairobi delegates, led by county chairman and Makadara MP George Aladwa, declared their support during a meeting at Camp Toyoyo grounds in Makadara constituency on Saturday.
“As ODM Nairobi delegates, we have resolved to support Dr Oburu Oginga as our party leader. That is the position we have taken and we will go with it to the NDC,” Aladwa said.
Announcing the resolution of the delegates, Aladwa dismissed those questioning Oburu’s authority, insisting his leadership was legitimate and anchored in the party’s constitution.
Oburu, aged 82, was elevated from interim leader to leader by the national governing council last November 13.
Aladwa said Oburu was selected by the party’s central management committee and later endorsed by the governing council on behalf of the NDC.
“He was duly picked by the party organs. Those questioning his authority are misleading party members.”
Aladwa accused a group of ODM leaders pushing for Oburu’s removal of attempting to destabilise the party, barely three months after the death of long-serving leader Raila Odinga.
“Fake leaders are meeting in hotels to discuss ODM affairs. ODM cannot be discussed in hotels. It is a party owned by the people, and the people have decided that Oburu is our leader,” he said.
Senior ODM officials from Nyanza also threw their weight behind Oburu, pledging to support him for the party’s top seat.
Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi said there is no leadership vacuum in ODM as the matter was conclusively resolved by the party’s organs.
“The issue of ODM leadership was settled by the National Governing Council acting on behalf of the National Delegates Conference. Anyone imagining otherwise is daydreaming,” Wandayi said on Friday.
Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi also called for unity, saying internal divisions risk weakening ODM at a critical political moment.
“We want the party to be united under the leadership of Oburu Oginga. We are in the politics of negotiation,” Atandi said.
The endorsement comes amid mounting pressure on Oburu from various factions demanding the immediate convening of the NDC to elect a substantive party leader following Raila’s death.
The delegates reiterated their commitment to the broad-based government and President William Ruto’s re-election in next year’s general election.
Last week, a group of ODM leaders from the Coast called for the installation of Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho as the new party leader.
Joho, alongside Cooperatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya, previously served as Raila’s deputies before joining Ruto’s Cabinet under the broad-based government arrangement.
During an event, Kaloleni MP Paul Katana said Joho had the experience and political capital to steer ODM back to its former strength.
The party has in recent weeks been rocked by infighting, with rival camps openly positioning themselves ahead of the leadership showdown.
In Nairobi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has also demanded the immediate convening of the NDC, emphasising that he will contest for the party’s top position.
“We want ODM to call the NDC. It is time to take over the party leadership. Baada ya Baba ni Babu (After Baba, Babu is next),” Babu said after a meeting with some party officials and members.
The leadership debate was also evident during ODM’s 20th anniversary celebrations in Mombasa late last year, when Raila’s daughter, Winnie Odinga, called for an immediate NDC to elect a new leadership slate.
She argued the party must be reclaimed by the people and led by a new generation capable of redefining its future direction.
“ODM was not born in a bedroom, so its future will not be discussed as pillow talk,” she said.
On Saturday, Oburu responded to calls for a fresh NDC, saying he was ready to convene one to address questions surrounding the legitimacy of the party’s leadership.
Speaking during a funeral service in Alego constituency, Oburu said he was ready to face the delegates.
“Those saying the leadership is not legitimate should come to the NDC. I am not afraid of it and I will call it very soon,” he said.
He also dismissed claims that ODM leaders were confused or lacked authority on the party’s engagement with Ruto’s administration.
He said all discussions that led to ODM’s participation in the broad-based government were conducted formally through established party structures.
“I chaired all the meetings on the broad-based arrangement with President William Ruto. No decisions were taken outside the party leadership organs.”
He added that he oversaw negotiations that resulted in Cabinet-level and senior government appointments for ODM members, saying this demonstrated the party’s organisation and influence.
Oburu said ODM currently has five Cabinet Secretaries and 14 Principal Secretaries, alongside several directors and senior officials serving in government.
He clarified that ODM did not aggressively seek entry into government, saying the opportunity arose following shifting political dynamics, including the Gen Z-led protests.
However, the party’s participation was aimed at ensuring its supporters finally received their fair share after years of exclusion.
“The government is big. We are not taking anyone’s share. We are only demanding what belongs to our people,” he said.
Looking ahead, Oburu said ODM would only enter future governments through formal, negotiated coalition agreements, having learned from past political arrangements.
“This time round, we are not entering government through the back door or the window. We will enter through the front door, through a negotiated arrangement.”
He revealed that 2026 has been designated as a negotiation year, during which ODM will decide whether to partner with other political formations, including the ruling United Democratic Alliance, or contest the 2027 general election independently.
“If we go it alone as ODM, then we will field a presidential candidate and I will be the flagbearer,” Oburu said, reopening debate on the party’s long-term strategy after years of coalition politics.
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