Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has appointed Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o to head party affairs while Raila Odinga concentrates on African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson campaigns.
As such, Nyong’o will be chairing Central Management Committee on behalf of Raila Odinga who has acted as the outfit’s party leader since its inception.
“The Party Leader Raila Odinga has in consultations with the Central Management Committee of the Party delegated the role of chairing the CMC meetings to the Governor of Kisumu while he carries on with his campaign for the AUC Chairmanship,” ODM announced on Wednesday, September 11.
Kisii Governor, Simba Arati, his Mombasa counterpart, Abdulswamad Nassir, and Busia Senator Osotsi who are the Deputy Party Leaders, and Gladys Wanga who serves as the National Chairperson of the party will continue leading the membership recruitment.
“The said would continue spearheading the exercise of membership recruitment in their areas of responsibility to keep the party strong,” the statement reads further.
Known as the Elders Council, the organ was formed in April as the Supreme authority to superintend all party organs as part of Raila’s strategy to protect ODM from any mischief in his absence.
Raila Odinga’s impending exit from the local political scene sparked intense jostling within the ODM party, as politicians scrambled to position themselves for a chance to fill his larger-than-life role.
Simba Arati, Siaya Governor, James Orengo, Gladys Wanga, Embakasi MP Babu Owino and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna were said to be battling to succeed Raila.
