President William Ruto today commended Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Oginga for successfully steering the opposition party following the death of its longtime leader, Raila Odinga.
Raila passed away in October 2025.
Speaking during the National Prayer Breakfast at Safari Park, Ruto highlighted Oburu’s steady leadership during a difficult transition period for ODM. The president recounted an anecdote that underscored Oburu’s readiness to assume the role.
“When ODM leader Oburu Oginga was told he was going to walk in the shoes of the late Raila Odinga, he said, ‘I understand, that is why I came with my own shoes’,” Ruto stated, drawing applause.
Raila Odinga, widely regarded as one of Kenya’s most influential opposition figures and a former prime minister, died on October 15, 2025, after suffering a cardiac arrest while receiving treatment in India.
Oburu Oginga, Raila’s elder brother and the Senator for Siaya County, subsequently took over as ODM leader. In the months since, he has worked closely with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) under the broad-based government arrangement.
The two leaders have co-chaired multiple joint UDA-ODM steering and central management committee meetings in recent months to manage coalition affairs, address internal party rifts, discuss zoning for the 2027 general elections, and tackle national issues including fuel prices and infrastructure.
Oburu has publicly reaffirmed ODM’s cooperation with the government on several occasions, while also navigating factional tensions within his own party.
Oburu challenged elected leaders to use the remaining one year and two months before the election to deliver meaningful development projects to wananchi.
“Work very hard and deliver services to the people because whatever services you have delivered is what you will use to campaign,” he said.
The Siaya Senator also cautioned aspirants against turning internal competition into hostility, reminding them that rivals in ODM nominations would still be key allies during the general election campaign.
“These are your brothers and sisters. After nominations, they are the same people who will campaign for you once you win the ODM ticket,” he noted.
