Gakuya explains why Oburu does not deserve to be the ODM interim leader

Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Gakuya has faulted the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) for appointing Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga as the interim party leader following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, terming the move a serious mistake.

In an interview on a local TV station on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Gakuya described Raila as a political giant who commanded numbers, but argued that the ODM leader’s death has exposed deep structural weaknesses within the party.

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“Raila Odinga was a political giant who commanded numbers. Unfortunately, he didn’t leave behind a nurtured point man. Oburu Odinga did not deserve to be the interim leader; that was a serious mistake,” Gakuya said.

This comes even as the party maintains that it will work with President William Ruto under the broad-based pact up to 2027.

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However, concerns continue to glare on why the ODM surpassed its three deputy party leaders, who, according to some political analysts, is a blow and it shows the fragile ODM in the post era.

On his part, Gakuya, a staunch ally of the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, argues that ODM should have followed its internal hierarchy when naming an interim leader instead of resorting to what he called emotional loyalty politics.

“If succession were to follow the party structure, the deputy party leader should have automatically taken the mantle,” he said.

ODM in crossroad?

The legislator insisted that party institutions must outlive individual personalities, saying Raila’s demise should be a wake-up call for ODM to build a robust leadership framework.

“There is what we call party structures, and the party structures ought to be so firm that they can ensure smooth transitions. When a leader exits, the deputy should naturally fill the gap,” he said.

He argued that the failure to adhere to this principle has left ODM in confusion, creating a big hole in the party’s leadership and credibility.

“Whoever was the deputy party leader now feels totally toothless in the party if decisions were made without their consideration,” Gakuya noted.

Incidentally, a section of ODM members has asked Ruto to rejoin the party, of which he is one of the founding members, amid speculation of a rift and the collapse of the UDA.

But Gakuya insists that political parties across the divide to strengthen their organisational frameworks to avoid instability whenever a key leader exits.

“Going forward, political parties should learn to be strong, having solid structures that can succeed freely without a lot of interference,” he emphasised.

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