Azimio leader Raila Odinga, has unveiled his preferred successors to lead Orange Democratic Party (ODM) in the event he secures the African Union Commision Chairmanship role.
Odinga endorsed former governors Ali Hassan Joho of Mombasa and Wycliffe Oparanya of Kakamega to take the helm of the opposition party should he leave for Addis Ababa.
He emphasized the importance of continuity and a strong foundation for the ODM party that has been a prominent force in Kenyan politics for nearly two decades.
Speaking in Wajir town on Thursday, March 7, Raila Odinga expressed his confidence in the leadership abilities of Governors Joho and Oparanya, urging them to come together to steer the ODM party forward.
The Azimio leader further stressed that the party should not crumble with his potential exit from local politics.
Odinga reassured party members that he would be available for advice even as he transitions to a role in Addis Ababa.
“I am here with Governors Wycliffe Oparanya and Ali Hassan Joho who will come together to lead ODM, a party with a strong foundation cannot crumble just because one person has left,” said Raila.
He further stated, “I am confident that these two will continue driving the party agenda even though I’ll be in Addis Ababa and If they want advice, I will be available.”
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Meanwhile Governor Joho, responding to discussions surrounding Raila’s succession politics, expressed gratitude for the valuable lessons he has learned from the former Prime Minister over the years.
Joho emphasized that his interest lies in inheriting Raila’s political ideology, consistency, courage, and political prowess.
“People have talked about succeeding Raila Odinga but What I want to say as Hassan Joho is that I will only inherit from Raila his ideology that he has taught me through my years of politics,” Joho asserted.
Joho further clarified that Raila Odinga’s move to Addis Ababa did not imply an abandonment of the ODM party.
He affirmed that Raila would remain a life member of the party, dispelling any concerns about a potential power vacuum.
“Watu wajue Baba (Raila) hakuna mahali anaenda, anaenda Addis Ababa na huyu ndiye life member number one na atabaki kuwa katika chama cha ODM,” assured Joho.
As the debate over who will lead the opposition party intensifies in the event of Raila Odinga assumes the AU Commission chairmanship, Joho underlined that the next government, slated for 2027, would be formed by the ODM party.
In a confident declaration, he stated that the government would either be led by Raila Odinga or himself as President.
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“The government coming in 2027 belongs to ODM, and there are two things, if not Raila Odinga, it is Hassan Joho,” he declared.
“The person I can leave for without question is Raila, but the others like my brother Oparanya, we will fight in-house, and then we will decide.”
In a move that is set to ruffle feathers between ODM stalwarts, Odinga’s endorsement of Joho and Oparanya serves not only to designate successors but also to instill a sense of continuity and stability within the ODM party.
As the AU Commission chair elections approach, Odinga’s plan for the party’s leadership ensures that the ODM party remains a formidable force in Kenyan politics, irrespective of his potential shift to a continental role.
