Raila’s succession Causing Stir as a Section of Nyanza Leaders Throws Their Support Behind Wandayi

Raila Odinga’s succession causes a stir among ODM party leaders and supporters

This succession discussion began when he showed interest in a top AU job position in February.

Different opinions have been raised on who should take the mantle from the party leader in case he manages to clinch the AU top job.

A section of leaders from the Nyanza region are for the opinion of party leadership being retained within the Luo ODM leaders.

The leaders who have shown interest in the party leadership in the region are the current National Minority Whip, who is also Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, and ODM chairman John Mbadi.

Speaking in Ugunja, a section of ODM party leaders led by Alego Usonga area MP Samuel Atandi threw his support behind national Minority Whip Opiyo Wandayi as the right person to take over the party mantle from Raila.

“It’s Luos who have fought and bled for this party; hence, we are not letting go of the leadership, ” Atandi said.

“We have sons who have the potential and capability to be on the seat like Wandayi, we are behind you in this,” the lawmaker affirmed.

He also cited that the only people who can be trusted with party matters are from the region to avoid future political betrayals.

His words were echoed by Nyando MP Jared Okello, who mentioned the majority of the support base comes from the Nyanza region.

“ODM is a national party, but the majority of its members almost 100%—come from our region,” Okello cited.

Other Party Members Who Have Shown Interest in Taking Over ODM Leadership

John Mbadi had earlier also shown interest in the mantle, he has been the party chair for 10 years and served under the party as an MP for 15 years.

Mbadi, a loyal party member, was nominated to parliament for a fourth term after shelving his homabay gubernatorial ambitions in the 2022 general election.

Amidst all this party leadership succession, ODM party leader Raila Odinga is having a tough time deciding who to pass the mantle to, as he also has two senior party officials who have walked with him in the party leadership and are also eyeing the seat.

Mombasa’s first governor, Ali Hassan Joho, and former Kakamega governor, Wycliffe Oparanya, have been close allies to the party leader and have a deep political history.

Wycklife Ombetsa Oparanya hails from the Western region, an ODM stronghold, has been consolidating support from leaders in his area, betting on his many years of political experience and friendship with Raila to take over the opposition party.

“I’m ready to take over leadership from Raila. I have been so loyal to him for many years,” he told supporters in Kakamega, where local party leaders endorsed him.

Meanwhile, Joho, who equally commands a strong following from Mombasa in the coastal region and who reportedly heavily financed ODM for years, has presented himself as the best candidate to take over from Raila.

“I have sacrificed all my life and everything for Raila. I have learned leadership values from him, and I’m ready to lead ODM,” he told reporters in Mombasa on Monday.

However, whoever succeeds in leading ODM will set the stage to vie for the presidency in 2027 or submit a stronger candidate to the opposition coalition, Azimio la Umoja. Its affiliate parties hope that Kalonzo Musyoka will take over if Raila exits.