The founding Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o on Saturday (12th October) was officially endorsed to be the party’s Acting Party Leader.
This new status will allow him the opportunity to lead the party in the absence of the Party Leader Mr. Raila Odinga who wants to focus on the campaigns for the Chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC).
Mr. Odinga told the meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Mombasa last weekend that he now wants to focus his energy and time on his campaign for the AUC chairmanship and that while he will be way, Prof. Nyong’o will hold the mantle of guiding the party.
“I want to concentrate on the campaign for the AUC chairmanship. We are four candidates and this requires time to focus on the campaign”, he said.
He added that Prof. Nyong’o, a seasoned politician understands the political terrain and that he has the capability to help steer the party to greater heights of growth.
“As the Secretary General, he helped make the party what it is today. He put in place structures that we have today. I have confidence in him and I know he will lead our party well while I canvas for votes to become the next Chairperson of the AUC”, he said.
On his part, Prof. Nyong’o, who is also the Governor of the County of Kisumu accepted the appointment and pledged to work closely with the other leaders of the party and the national secretariat to keep ODM active and stronger.
“This is an honour to me. I am delighted that I have been chosen to lead the party in the acting capacity. All I can assure our members is that, I will not disappoint them”, he said.
Prof. Nyong’o served as the first Secretary General of the party between 2005 and 2013 when he opted to retire and pave the way for the younger generation to run the party in that capacity.
He has remained loyal to the party and been active in party activities even as he served as the patron of the party in Kisumu County.
