Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has addressed the ongoing succession politics in his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
Speaking in Migori, Raila stated that ODM will remain strong even if he succeeds in becoming the next African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson.
“ODM must stand the test of time and live beyond me. Even if Baba (Raila) is not there, ODM should remain a strong political party. This will only happen if we work together,” Raila said.
Raila named former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya, former Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho, and Kisii governor Simba Arati as his preferred successors.
He called for unity in the party and asked ODM members to respect the three leaders during his absence.
“We must build the ODM party. Oparanya, Joho, and Simba Arati have worked hard and stood with the party. Don’t try to bring conflict between these three people. If you see Joho, Oparanya, and Simba, then you are seeing Baba,” Raila said.
Raila emphasized that ODM will only remain vibrant if the leadership remains strong and supports the junior politicians at the grassroots level.
“I will be with you guys; I am going for the AUC seat, and I am meeting with different heads of state. Addis Ababa is close by, and I can come back every weekend,” he said.
Raila Criticizes Early Campaigns
Additionally, Raila criticized leaders engaged in premature campaigns and urged elected leaders to focus on service delivery. He explained that voters will use development projects to determine whether a leader is fit for a bigger political position.
“If you were elected as a Member of County Assembly (MCA), work so that people can notice you. Your work as an MCA is what may make you become a Member of Parliament (MP) someday,” Raila said.
“MPs should also serve their constituents. If you want to become a governor, let that be in the future, not now. The same applies to a senators and woman representatives.”
Also Read: Raila Odinga Names Preferred Successors as He Eyes AU Job
Simba Arati Calls for Unity
Similarly, Arati reiterated the importance of unity within the party ahead of the next election.
He explained that the Nyanza region should lead by example before bringing the other regions on board.
“It’s only me and Raila who have vied for the party leader position; therefore, all these other people are behind me. But we have a journey as the ODM party, and we must finish it.”
The governor accused the Kenya Kwanza government of orchestrating the ongoing conflicts in Kisii County and other parts of the Nyanza region.
“I am ready as an ODM leader to stand firm with the other leaders to ensure ODM is strong from the Coast up to this place. We can’t afford to be divided,” he said.
Oparanya’s Take
However, Oparanya maintained that Raila is not exiting politics, adding that no politician can succeed the ODM’s party leader.
“Many people are saying Raila is leaving, but I want to tell you that he is going nowhere. Don’t imagine that you can replace Raila. You can have the desire, but you can never reach his level,” he said.
Oparanya also called for the unity of the party just as Raila has done since it was established back in 2005.
“I want to tell my fellow leaders that ODM will not grow if we are divided. If one of us leaves, the party will collapse. If you want us to have a president in 2027, we must remain united and respect all the leaders under Raila Odinga,” he said.
He also asked the party to deal with betrayers, the majority of whom he said are from the Nyanza region.
“I was among the founders of ODM. I joined forces with Raila in 2004 when I was an MP. I have stood with Raila from that time until today. There is no Luhya leader who has stood with Raila like me,” added Oparanya.
Also Read: Ida Odinga Spills the Beans on Raila Succession
Joho on ODM Presidency
Likewise, Joho urged the leaders to work together if ODM is to win the presidency in the next election.
He explained that all the ODM leaders are capable of becoming the next president but maintained that this is only possible if the party remains united.
“I believe I can be president one day, the same applies to Oparanya and Simba Arati, but we must remain united. That’s the only way ODM will produce the sixth president of Kenya. None of us can do it alone,” Joho said.
“I am a founding member of ODM, and throughout my political life, I entered politics with Raila, and I will exit with him because I believe in his ideology.”
There has been uncertainty about who will take over the leadership of the party should Raila win the AUC chairperson seat.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, National Assembly minority leader Opiyo Wandayi, and ODM chairman John Mbadi are other candidates who have been named as favorites to take over from Raila.
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