As the succession debate inside ODM heats up, Ida Odinga has drawn a clear line: Senator Oburu Odinga is the voice Kenyans and ODM members must respect as the party charts its future beyond Raila.
A calm but pointed statement from Ida Odinga has sent ripples through the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), at a time when internal competition over the party’s future leadership is quietly intensifying.
With Raila Odinga’s long political chapter entering a critical phase, the question of who steadies ODM next has become unavoidable. Ida’s message? Unity first and clear respect for Senator Oburu Odinga.
“Listen to Oburu” A Message With Weight
Speaking amid growing disagreements within the party, Ida urged ODM supporters to rally behind Oburu Odinga, describing him as the political anchor who best understands the soul of the party.
She stressed that Oburu, Raila Odinga’s elder brother, has an unmatched grasp of the ideology, instincts, and strategy that have shaped ODM for more than two decades.
At one point, Ida famously remarked that anyone seeking to understand what Raila Odinga is thinking should “listen to Dr Oginga and read his body language.”
That line, once subtle, is now being read as a clear endorsement.
Why This Moment Matters for ODM
ODM is currently navigating:
- Internal divisions and competing ambitions
- Pressure to redefine itself ahead of 2027
- Strategic choices on alliances and leadership structure
Party insiders say the Odinga family has stepped up quietly to protect Raila’s legacy and prevent fragmentation at a sensitive moment.
As ODM’s current party leader and Siaya Senator, Oburu is expected to influence:
- Whether ODM fields its own presidential candidate
- Possible cooperation with William Ruto’s broad-based government
- The long-term ideological direction of the party
Next Generation Watches Closely
Meanwhile, third-generation Odingas including Winnie Odinga and Raila Odinga Jr. are becoming more visible nationally, adding fuel to speculation about who eventually carries the family’s political torch.
Still, Ida’s message is firm: this is not the time for power struggles.
The Bottom Line
Ida Odinga’s statement is less about succession theatrics and more about order, respect, and continuity.
As ODM’s internal chess game unfolds, one thing is now unmistakably clear:
Oburu Odinga is the man the Odinga family and ODM want Kenyans to listen to.
And in Kenyan politics, messages delivered quietly often speak the loudest.
