The race to replace Raila as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader has kicked off with a section of Nairobi County delegates endorsing Siaya Governor James Orengo for the coveted position.

In a meeting chaired by Nairobi County ODM chair George Aladwa, all the 17 branch officials who attended the meeting exuded their confidence in having the Siaya governor at the helm of the party.

Raila Odinga is set to relinquish the seat as he continues to seek African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship position.

The party’s central management committee is expected to hold a meeting to deliberate on the impending changes.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party headquarters Chungwa House in Nairobi.

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ODM

“There will be a vacuum for the position of the party leader after the exit of Raila Odinga so we were proposing the Governor of Siaya, James Orengo, to be considered for the position of ODM’s party leader,” Aladwa asserted.

“We as delegates from Nairobi have agreed unanimously to support Governor Orengo to succeed Raila Odinga.”

On her part, the chairperson of ODM’s women’s league Catherine Okoth called on the party leader to consider more women for party positions.

“We are asking our party leader to appoint more opportunities for women to lead in our party. So that our female members can work for the party,” she urged.

The move comes as different factions within the party have been positioning to succeed ODM’s party leader Raila as he seeks to be elected to the AU Chairmanship post come February, 2025.

ODM which is in the Azimio coalition has faced backlash from principal parties who are pushing for the party to exit the opposition citing Raila’s departure to the AU if elected.

It comes on the backdrop of ODM’s Party Chairperson Gladys Wanga who on Saturday warned party members against trumpeting succession politics within the party.

Instead, she urged the party members to shift their stance and focus in strengthening the party ahead of the upcoming grassroots elections labelling succession talks as premature.

Homabay governor Gladys Wanga at an event on Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

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