Oburu ratified as ODM party leader as Osotsi dropped from deputy role

ODM party leader Oburu Odinga during the National Delegates Convention at Jamhuri Grounds in Kibra, March 27, 20926. /EZEKIEL AMING'A

Senator Godffrey Osotsi was on Friday removed as one of the three deputy party leaders of the Orange Democratic Movement during the Special Delegates Conference held at Jamhuri Grounds.

Osotsi had been elevated to the post on August 9, 2024, alongside Kisii Governor Simba Arati and his Mombasa counterpart Abdulswamad Nassir.

His removal follows his refusal to attend the NDC, opting instead for a parallel meeting held at Ufungamano House under the leadership of besieged secretary general Edwin Sifuna.

The Kibra gathering was convened to ratify leadership changes, fill vacant positions and set the party’s strategy for the 2027 General Election.

Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, who took over from his brother Raila Odinga, was formally ratified as the party leader. 

Minority leader and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed asked for a proposer and seconder for Osotsi to be retained as one of the deputy party leaders, but no member rose.

"So therefore, Vihiga Senator has no proposer or seconder... so if you don't have a proposer and seconder, it means you cannot get the seat. Let us move to the next agenda," Junet said amid loud applause.

"Senator Godffrey Osotsi has been dropped at the Special Delegates Convention as the deputy party leader of the Orange Democratic Party," he affirmed.

Arati and Abdulswamad were retained as deputy party leaders. Ahmed Abdullahi was voted in as National Organising Secretary, while Otiende Amollo and Ariko Nyamoit were elected as deputy chairpersons.

Meanwhile, Kisumu West MP Rozzah Buyu was elected ODM secretary for political affairs, while Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga was voted in as Deputy National Organising Secretary.

The meeting also endorsed a proposal by the party to initiate pre-election agreement talks with the ruling UDA, aimed at forming a broad-based government after the 2027 General Election.

Addressing the gathering, national chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, who was also voted to continue holding the seat, said the decision aligns with the late party leader Raila Odinga’s mantra that strength lies in unity of purpose rather than noise or division.

"This is not the time for blame, wars, or petty ego contests. Before we negotiate with others, we must show that we are united, focused, and ready. It is not the hour to scatter but to gather," Wanga said.

She spoke as the Linda Mwananchi faction held a parallel NDC at Ufungamano House along Mamlaka Road under the stewardship of Sifuna.

"Canaan is visible from here. Let us be guided by unity and move toward the future, because if we remain focused, we shall move into that future," Wanga said.

The Ufungamano team said they are the bona fide ODM party carrying forward Raila’s legacy.

"The real ODM is meeting in Ufungamano. Msiuziwe uoga. We are on a new journey. Kama wewe ni mwoga ubaki nyuma," Orengo said.

(Do not be sold fear. We are on a new journey. If you are afraid, remain behind)

"I can almost see our departed hero Raila Amolo Odinga on this stage talking about Kenyans and talking about the future of Kenya."

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino described the Kibra gathering as an "illegal NDC", arguing that the secretary general mandated by the party constitution to convene the conference was at Ufungamano.

He said the Linda Mwananchi faction was not the enemy of the state but a defender of the people.

"We will respect Oburu as our elder, but not as our leader. Sisi ambao tuko hapa tutazidi kuwapigania, kwa sababu Mkenya anateseka."

(Those of us who are here will continue to fight for you, because Kenyans are suffering)