Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s 18-year tenure as the de facto leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is set to conclude this week. The party’s key decision-making bodies will convene on Tuesday and Wednesday to appoint his successor.
Raila, who has led ODM since its founding in 2005, is preparing to step down as he focuses on his bid for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). Under his leadership, ODM has become one of the most stable and well-structured political parties in Kenya, second only to the post-independence party KANU.
Since ODM’s inception, following the 2005 referendum where Raila and opposition leaders achieved a significant victory over then-President Mwai Kibaki, Raila has run for president on the ODM ticket four times. The party’s name and symbol, an orange, originated from the “NO” campaign in the 2005 referendum, officially establishing itself as a political entity ahead of the 2007 general election.
Throughout his leadership, Raila has expanded ODM into a major political force in Kenya, although the presidency has remained out of reach. As he prepares to exit local politics, Raila is setting his sights on the AUC Chairperson position, with elections for this role scheduled for February 2025.
Recently, Raila announced his shift from Kenyan to continental politics, emphasizing his focus on the AUC campaign. “I am stepping back from active participation in Kenyan politics to concentrate on my bid for the continental position. This is a transition towards African continental politics,” Raila stated.
Two weeks ago, Raila was officially presented by President William Ruto as Kenya’s AUC candidate during a State House ceremony attended by several East African Community heads of state. Since then, Raila has been actively campaigning for support from African leaders, including during a recent trip to Beijing with President Ruto for the China-Africa Summit.
As Raila prepares to exit the local political stage, there is heightened activity within ODM as politicians vie for his influential position. Last month, Raila appointed Governors Simba Arati (Kisii) and Abdulswamad Nassir, along with Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, as deputy party leaders, signaling an expanded ODM leadership structure.
