A fresh jostling for influence in ODM is emerging as senior leaders move to assert themselves in the party during the prolonged absence of party leader Dr Oburu Oginga from the public eye.

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Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Kisii Governor Simba Arati have increasingly taken centre stage in party activities, each building a distinct political profile as ODM navigates the vacuum left by the death of party leader Raila Odinga.

The latest push for Mr Oparanya to play a bigger role came over the weekend when legislators Raphael Wanjala (Budalang’i), Christopher Aseka (Khwisero) and Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani), as well as government spokesman Charles Owino, urged him to balance his ministerial duties with party responsibilities and assist Dr Oginga in running ODM.

ODM party leader Oburu Oginga at Lake Naivasha Resort during a broad-based government retreat on August 10, 2026.

📌 What You Need to Know

“We want you to have two offices, one in ODM where Dr Oburu works and another in your ministry. We want you to take some time and help Dr Oginga work. We want you to dedicate some time so that he is not overwhelmed with work. If he is overwhelmed, we can easily lose him,” Mr Wanjala said.

He spoke at Mr Oparanya’s home during a visit by the Kawuor clan, the clan of the late Mr Odinga. Raila Junior, the late opposition leader’s son and Kibra MP aspirant and Jaoko Oburu, Dr Oginga’s son and Bondo MP aspirant, also attended the function.

Mr Wanjala said Mr Oparanya, who is a former ODM deputy party leader, was best placed to work closely with Dr Oginga and help steer the party through the current transition.

“Please be very close to Oburu to help our leader, whom we still need despite his advanced age. You have the experience, you have been deputy party leader for a long time and people are safer with you if you are near Oburu,” he said.

Mr Wanjala also called on Mr Oparanya to help strengthen ties between the Luo and Luhya communities as the two blocs position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections and the longer-term 2032 succession contest.

Mr Owino backed the proposal, describing Mr Oparanya as the senior-most politician in the region and saying his more than 25 years of close association with Mr Odinga placed him in a strong position to assist Dr Oginga.

📰 Source: Nation Africa