East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament Winnie Odinga is set to be installed as one of the four Deputy Party Leaders of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) during the party’s National Delegates Conference (NDC) in Nairobi this Friday.
According to reports from within ODM, the party’s top decision-making organs, the National Executive Council (NEC) and the Central Management Committee (CMC), have resolved to have Ms. Odinga replace Vihiga Senator Geoffrey Osotsi as one of the Deputy Party Leaders. Osotsi is currently the only deputy leader not aligned with Dr. Oburu Oginga’s Linda Ground faction.
Instead, he is associated with the rival Linda Mwananchi group, which includes former ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, and Siaya Governor James Orengo.
Deputy leaders supporting Dr. Oburu Oginga are Governors Simba Arati (Kisii) and Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir (Mombasa).
Party insiders indicate that the move is part of a broader strategy to strengthen ODM’s organizational structure and ensure unity among its top ranks and include young people.
Last week, ODM leaders and delegates from Nairobi formally endorsed Winnie Odinga for the Deputy Party Leader position. The ODM delegates emphasized the importance of enhancing the capital’s representation within the party’s senior leadership. They also proposed that Ms. Odinga be installed as a Nairobi County ODM delegate number one, a position previously held by her late father, Raila Odinga.
Makadara MP George Aladwa, Nairobi’s ODM branch chairperson, confirmed that he will use this week’s NDC to formally propose Ms. Odinga’s nomination as one of the party’s Deputy Party Leaders. If approved, her appointment will bring the total number of ODM Deputy Party Leaders to four.
The NDC, expected to draw delegates from across the country, will also deliberate on key party reforms and strategies aimed at revitalizing ODM’s grassroots networks and preparing for upcoming political contests.
