Odinga Maintains He Is The ODM Party Leader, Shunning Those Forcing Him To Name A Successor

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has called upon leaders within the party to decry ethnic succession politics that will potentially cause a political division across the country.

According to Odinga, aspiring leaders aiming to succeed in the ODM party should ease their pace, as he has not yet clinched the African Union Commission position.

Speaking during the annual Malindi Islamic Center fundraiser in Kilifi County, the former prime minister cautioned against leaders aligning themselves with specific candidates for party leadership based solely on regional affiliations, should he assume the position at the African Union Commission.

"You are a member of ODM and if the party decides to hold elections it will be as ODM. If you bring the thought of dividing the party on regional grounds the party will be weak," Odinga stated.

He continued by urging party members to stand united to uphold the strength of the party. Emphasizing that the ODM party relies on the collective effort of all its members to thrive and grow stronger together.

"I want ODM to remain as it is. The strongest and most organised political party in East and Central Africa region,” he added.

This follows ODM Chief Odinga's announcement at an ODM recruitment rally in Wajir, where he designated former Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya to helm the political entity in the event of his successful candidacy for the next Africa Union Commission Chairperson.