ODM has no shortage of leaders capable of succeeding the late Raila Odinga who died on October 15, 2025, while receiving treatment in India, according to Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma.
Speaking on Radio Generation on Tuesday, Kaluma said the party’s succession process is guided by its constitution and there shouldn't be panic over the matter.
“In terms of ODM leadership, I can tell you ODM is a party with a constitution and rules. As we speak, Dr. Oburu Oginga has been nominated interim party leader of ODM, and I want to congratulate our NEC for that,” Kaluma said.
He added that the late Raila Odinga mentored many leaders who are ready to take up the party’s leadership.
“Because one thing Baba succeeded in—people keep asking, ‘Who after Raila?’— I can tell you where Baba succeeded is that he's mentored and brought up so many leaders, if you look at the ODM party, the one thing we have which we cannot talk about is who can lead that party,” he said.
Kaluma also revealed that he will propose that interim leader Oburu Oginga take up the position on a permanent basis.
“We have many potential leaders in the party. We want Oburu to lead as we organize ourselves. I’ll be requesting the party organs to endorse him so that personal ambitions don’t destabilize the party at this critical moment,” he added.
The lawmaker also called for patience among those seeking ODM leadership, stressing that the right leader will emerge.
“I’ve heard people say I should now be the leader of the Luo community; forget about it. Juogi will identify and settle on its own, and the leader will naturally emerge. It speaks to the spirit of the Luo people, and when that happens, you’ll see the community align behind that person, ”Kaluma said.
“So, to those who want to lead the Luo community after Raila, calm down.”
