NAIROBI – Jubilee Party deputy leader and presidential flagbearer Fred Matiang’i has extended a congratulatory message to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on its 20th anniversary and the confirmation of its new leadership, urging them to uphold the principles of the party's late founder, Raila Odinga. The message, delivered via a social media post on Thursday, November 13, 2025, comes as ODM undergoes its most significant leadership transition in two decades.

The appointments were approved by ODM's National Governing Council (NGC) on Thursday, November 13, 2025, in Mombasa, ahead of the party's 20th-anniversary celebrations. Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga was officially confirmed as the new party leader, succeeding his brother, Raila Odinga, who passed away on October 15, 2025. Dr. Oginga had been serving in an acting capacity since October 16, 2025.

A New Guard Takes Charge

The NGC's resolution, which awaits final ratification by a National Delegates Convention (NDC), confirmed a new slate of senior officials. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga was named the National Chairperson, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the party's history. Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, Kisii Governor Simba Arati, and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi were all approved as Deputy Party Leaders.

Other key appointments include Turkana South MP Ariko Namoit and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo as Vice Chairpersons. Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga was named Deputy Organising Secretary, while Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu is the new Secretary of Political Affairs.

Matiang'i's Call for Consistency

In his statement, Dr. Matiang'i, who was officially endorsed as Jubilee's 2027 presidential candidate on October 30, 2025, praised ODM's role in Kenya's democratic journey. “Over the past two decades, @TheODMparty has substantially contributed to strengthening the political culture of multiparty democracy in Kenya. Furthermore, @TheODMparty has played a significant role in providing checks and balances on excesses in governance,” he stated.

Addressing the new leadership, Matiang’i invoked the legacies of iconic African leaders to caution against abandoning core principles. “My prayer is that the new leadership continues to be inspired by the fundamental principles and values that Kenyans associated with Baba Raila Amolo Odinga,” he wrote. “This auspicious occasion also offers @TheODMparty an opportunity to learn from similar tragic experiences by other parties across the continent of Africa. The African National Congress of South Africa lost Nelson Mandela and Chama Cha Mapinduzi of Tanzania, similarly, lost Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. These examples offer valuable lessons on the value of ideological consistency over political expediency.”

Political Implications for Kenya

Dr. Matiang'i's message is being interpreted as a statesmanlike gesture aimed at fostering political goodwill ahead of the 2027 general election. His emphasis on institutional strength and democratic contribution acknowledges ODM's formidable position in Kenyan politics, even as it navigates a post-Raila era. The statement strategically positions the Jubilee flagbearer as a leader focused on national unity and democratic principles.

The leadership changes within ODM are critical for the party's future and its role in the national political landscape. The new team, led by Dr. Oburu Oginga, is tasked with uniting the party and charting its course, including its engagement with the government and its strategy for the next election cycle. Speaking in Mombasa, the new leaders have affirmed their commitment to unity and strengthening the party. The anniversary celebrations, running from Friday, November 14, to Sunday, November 16, 2025, serve as both a tribute to Raila Odinga's legacy and a platform to introduce the new leadership to the nation.