ODM SDC approves Oburu Oginga as party leader, kicks out Godfrey Osotsi

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has formally ratified Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga as its substantive party leader following the passing of his brother and longterm party chief Raila Odinga on October 15, 2025.

Dr. Oburu, who has presumably been serving in an acting capacity following his nomination by the party’s National Governing Council (NGC), was officially approved to take over the position at the Special Delegates Convention (SCD) held at Jamhuri Grounds on Friday.

He was proposed by Mumias West Member of Parliament Johnson Manya Naicca, and seconded by Mathare lawmaker Anthony Oluoch after the question was put to the floor by ODM's Director of Elections and Campaigns Junet Mohamed.

Dr. Oburu will be deputized by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir and his Kisii counterpart Simba Arati who were also formally proposed and seconded for office.

The third nominated Deputy Party Leader, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, however received no proposers nor seconders, and was hence dropped from the position.

This comes as Osotsi and a perceived rebel ODM wing labelled Linda Mwananchi skipped the SDC and held their own parallel ‘People’s’ National Delegates Convention (NDC) at Ufungamano House.

Among other ODM leaders allied to the Linda Mwananchi wing and who attended the paralled NDC are embattled Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.

“The Senator of Vihiga, Godfrey Osotsi, was brought here by the National Governing Council to become a Deputy Party Leader, but we cannot find here a proposer and a seconder. We’re going to drop him as a Deputy Party Leader,” declared Junet at the SDC.

Other top party officials who were also ratified by the delegates include Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga who now formally takes up the seat of National Chairperson, with Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo and John Ariko Namoit as her deputies.

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi was approved for the position of National Organizing Secretary; Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga as Deputy Organizing Secretary, and Kisumu West MP Rozah Buyu as Secretary for Political Affairs.