Life After Raila: Who Leads ODM as Kenya Bids Farewell to Its Longest-Serving Opposition Leader?

Kenya, 19 October 2025 - Kenya on Sunday bade farewell to former Prime Minister and opposition leader Raila Amolo Odinga, whose burial in his rural home of Bondo marked the end of an era, and the beginning of a political realignment within his party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

The emotional ceremony, attended by thousands of mourners and dozens of African dignitaries, brought Kenya to a standstill.

Tributes flowed from allies and rivals alike, describing Odinga as a man who sacrificed comfort for democracy and who carried the hopes of millions for political freedom and economic justice.

Yet, as his body was laid to rest, a quieter question began to dominate whispers around the crowds: Who will lead ODM after Raila?

Oburu Steps In, But for How Long?

ODM’s National Executive Committee moved swiftly, appointing Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, Raila’s elder brother, as Acting Party Leader to provide stability. The decision, insiders say, was intended to calm speculation and signal continuity within the movement.

However, senior members have already called for a National Delegates Convention (NDC) to formally elect a new substantive leader after the burial.

Possible Successors and Party Heavyweights

As ODM begins the delicate task of charting its future, several names have already surfaced in the conversation over who could steer the party forward.

Acting Party Leader Oburu Oginga has stepped in temporarily, but attention is quickly shifting to figures seen as long-term contenders.

Among them are Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya, both former governors and deputy party leaders with deep organisational experience, Siaya Governor James Orengo, who is one of ODM’s founding strategists, and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga whose rising profile makes her the most visible female leader in the ODM hierarchy.

Others include Edwin Sifuna, the outspoken Secretary-General credited with energizing the party’s youth base and defending its structures, Junet Mohammed, a close Odinga ally and long-time organiser in Parliament, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, whose populist appeal and relentless social-media presence have positioned him as a voice of the younger generation.

Kisii Governor Simba Arati represents a fresh, assertive face in ODM politics.

His rising influence in the Gusii region and vocal loyalty to Odinga’s ideals have made him one of the potential bridge-builders between the old guard and the party’s next generation.

Meanwhile, John Mbadi, the party’s long-serving National Chairman and former Suba South MP, remains one of ODM’s most seasoned insiders, known for his organisational discipline, financial prudence, and consistency in defending the party line both in and outside Parliament.

These figures represent a mix of continuity and change, balancing loyalty to Odinga’s legacy with the need to redefine ODM’s identity in a new political era.

The Weight of Legacy

Odinga’s influence in Kenya’s political landscape was unmatched.

For over four decades, he shaped national debates on democracy, constitutional reform, and governance. His charismatic leadership transformed ODM into the country’s most recognizable opposition brand.

But his passing leaves a complex legacy. The party now faces a test of institutional maturity. Can it remain united without the personality that held it together?

Analyst Dr Eric Ochieng’ notes that ODM’s next leader must “carry Odinga’s reformist spirit, but also modernize the party’s strategy to appeal to young, tech-savvy voters and rebuild structures that have weakened over time.”

A Party at a Crossroads

Inside ODM, there’s both fear and hope. Fear that the absence of Odinga could trigger factionalism, hope that it could also unlock a generational transition that keeps the party relevant.

“ODM’s challenge is not just finding a new leader,” said one Nairobi-based strategist.

“It’s redefining its mission in a Kenya that Odinga helped to build, one where young people want results, not rhetoric.”

Speaking during the burial, Senior ODM officials, including National Chair - Wanga - and Senator Ledama Olekina, have stated that the party will continue its alliance with President William Ruto, in line with what they say were Odinga's final wishes.

On the other hand, other officials, including Senator Sifuna and Governor Arati, are calling for the party to field its own candidate and are preparing for the 2027 elections.

Governor Sifuna cited Odinga's last public pronouncements from September 2025, when he urged ODM members to stand on their own principles.

However, Odinga's sister, Ruth Odinga, has warned against internal divisions and called for unity, sharing that this was her brother's last message to her.

As the dust settles on the burial in Bondo, one truth stands clear - Odinga’s political life may have ended, but the contest for his ideological mantle has only just begun.