Oburu Odinga: Raila’s successor as Luo Nyanza kingpin will sprout like mushroom

Acting ODM party leader Oburu Odinga says that whoever becomes the Nyanza kingpin and leader of the Luo community will sprout like a mushroom, just as it happened during the era of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

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Speaking on Saturday, October 24, 2025, Oburu said his brother Raila was not elected as the leader of the Luo community but sprouted like a mushroom, and his presence was felt when he stormed the Ford Kenya Delegates meeting that Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was chairing.

Mushrooms are a plant source of protein whose spores mature within three weeks after transplanting, and Oburu claims Raila rose to power like the fungi ‘crop’.

“Luos never sat and elected Raila their leader; he just sprouted like a mushroom and was felt in the political podium,” Oburu said, adding that now that he is no more, we have Raila’s foot soldiers whom he nurtured and mentored politically.

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Speaking during the ODM delegates meeting at his Opoda home, Oburu noted that ODM has a competent team whom he has trust and confidence in, including ODM chairlady Gladys Wanga, Governor James Orengo, and youthful MPs like Migori Senator Eddie Oketch, who are fit to lead the community and champion his agenda.

Oburu asked Kenyans not to fault Raila for failing to nurture people to succeed him as the next kingpin and party leader.

Raila has been accused of leaving his backyard orphaned, without a leader to succeed him as the region’s spokesperson.

“I have heard people faulting Raila and me for endorsing persons to replace us when we have outlived our usefulness. The existing leaders have been trusted with leadership in parliament and outside parliament; vet them and decide among them who can lead you,” he said.

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Oburu said he was equally shocked to learn that the party had picked him as the acting party leader, a position he welcomed.

“When we went to welcome the body of Raila at the airport, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed told me that he had been picked as acting party leader at a distressful time,” Oburu said.

“Immediately, I was declared acting party leader. Some people questioned my age and thought I did not have the strength and capacity to deliver, but as for me, I will not let our people suffer; I will hold on to it,” Oburu said.

He added that the former premier left them in a broad-based government, and they shall remain in it beyond 2027.

Oburu received the full backing of ODM delegates from Siaya, Nyanza MPs, Senators, and two Governors: James Orengo (Siaya) and Gladys Wanga.

Gladys Wanga

Wanga warned that other tribes risk abandoning the ODM party if the Luo community are disunited.

“The world is watching how the Luo community are behaving now that Raila is no more. If we split the ODM party, other tribes will exit the party, and so it’s better we unite as a community,” Wanga said.

Wanga said that as the party chairlady, she won’t scatter anybody but would gather all.

“The first test we have as a party is to deliver the Ugunja and Kasipul by-elections.”

Orengo asked the party leadership to resist attempts to merge the ODM party.

“I am optimistic that our ODM, which enjoys a national outlook, won’t be merged into other alliances,” Orengo added.

As we negotiate with other leaders on political issues, do not put all your cards on the table. As you do it, ensure you feel the grounds; the ODM must remain the biggest party in Africa and in Kenya.

Orengo, at the same time, welcomed Oburu’s endorsement as acting party leader, vowing to work with him to improve the party.

Kajwang

Senator Moses Kajwang and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo backed the ODM party as a living organism that grows and thrives day by day.

“The ODM party, in which Oburu has assumed leadership in an acting capacity, is a living organism. Its heart is strategically placed in Luo land, and its lungs and head are in the Mombasa and Western regions, respectively. The kidney is rightly placed in Nairobi, and this confirms that ODM is not a party of Luos but has a national outlook.

“With Oburu at the helm. The party will thrive. Oburu had walked side by side with the vision holder (Raila), and we don’t doubt his capacity.”

Senator Tom Ojienda, on his part, asked Oburu to work closely with President William Ruto and ensure that the Nyanza region, which lags behind in terms of development, grows economically.

“Oburu, who has assumed the party leadership, should engage Ruto to ensure the community interests are not forgotten now that Raila is no more; he should uphold the former premier’s legacy.

“The coming of the Nyanza leaders and ODM delegates to endorse Oburu as party leader is the final affirmation by the national governing council,” Amolo said.

Kisumu Women Representative Ruth Odinga noted that the endorsement and elevation of Oburu to the party leadership is just a blessing from Raila, and spirits confirmed it.

“I pray that ODM members not disintegrate but unite and speak in one voice,” Ruth added.

However, Petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi said he is the one that Oburu was referring to as the sprouting mushroom.

According to the CS PA Jerry Williams Ochieng, Wandayi is the sprouting mushroom.

The chairman of the Luo Council of Elders, Odungi Randa, dismissed assertions that Raila left the Luo in government and the party shouldn’t field candidates.

“We had a lengthy discussion with Raila, and he was backing President Ruto to stabilise the country and had agreed to stay by his side till 2027,” Randa said.

He added that those insisting on supporting President Ruto beyond 2027 were out to fulfil their own selfish interests.