The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Nairobi youth wing has called for leadership succession within the party to remain in the family of its late founder, Raila Odinga, ahead of the delegates’ meeting.
ODM youth official Brian Midiwo said the youth wing is pushing for one of Raila’s children to take up a leadership role in the party, saying it is a matter of political continuity.
“We know how to maintain peace. We are not going to create chaos, but we are going to defend what former Prime Minister Raila Odinga fought for. We are not planning any chaos,” he said.
Midiwo added that while his participation in the upcoming meeting remains uncertain, the youth faction has clear expectations regarding the party’s future leadership.
He also weighed in on the potential role of Oburu Odinga, suggesting a distinction between symbolic and executive leadership.
“In politics, there is something called inheritance. Raila has a family; he has children. We demand and want to see Raila’s son or daughter in ODM leadership. Oburu is Raila’s elder brother, and I’m not against him. We want him as the party patron and not the party leader. Those are the things we want to see as the agenda at the NDC or SDC,” he said.
The Orange Democratic Movement is scheduled to hold its first National Delegates Convention (NDC) on Friday, following the death of its founder, Raila, in October last year.
Delegates are expected to deliberate on several key issues, including a proposal to initiate coalition talks with the ruling United Democratic Alliance ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The meeting will take place at Jamhuri Grounds in Kibra constituency.
On Thursday, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal ordered Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to attempt to resolve their dispute over his removal as Secretary General through the party’s Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanism (IDRM).
The tribunal directed the senator and ODM to engage the party’s internal mechanisms in good faith before the matter can proceed further before the tribunal.
The tribunal further directed that, as a show of good faith, the removal of Sifuna as Secretary General should not be filed with the Registrar of Political Parties pending the attempt at internal dispute resolution.
"The complainant (Sifuna) and the first respondent (ODM) shall attempt to resolve the dispute through the first respondent’s IDRM mechanisms. Parties are encouraged to submit to IDRM in good faith,” the tribunal ordered.
Sifuna had moved to the tribunal to challenge his removal as ODM Secretary General, arguing that the decision was unlawful and violated the party constitution and the Political Parties Act.
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