Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati has, for the first time, openly explained why the party settled on Oburu Odinga as its leader following the death of its long-time leader, Raila Odinga.
Arati said the decision was deliberate and aimed at positioning the party strongly for future political success.
Speaking on Sunday, January 25, during an ODM grassroots meeting held in Ogembo, Kisii County, Arati—who is also the Governor of Kisii—revealed that he was the natural choice to take over the party leadership.
As Raila Odinga’s deputy, Arati explained that party structures would ordinarily have allowed him to assume the top position.
However, Arati said he made a conscious decision to step aside in the interest of the party’s long-term stability and unity. According to him, he personally proposed that Raila Odinga’s elder brother, Oburu Odinga, should take over the leadership role.
Arati noted that Oburu’s leadership would help ODM reorganize itself, strengthen internal structures, and prepare effectively for future elections.
“I was Raila’s deputy, and by all standards, I should have taken over as party leader,” Arati said. “But I felt it was wiser for Oburu to guide the party for now as we reorganise and prepare ourselves to eventually take power in this country.”
He added that the idea to appoint Oburu did not come from outside forces, but from himself. “I am the one who proposed Oburu. They asked me to take over, but I said no—let Oburu lead us,” he stated.
Arati also addressed criticism from within the party regarding how Oburu was appointed. He urged those questioning the decision to stop attacking the current ODM leadership and instead direct their concerns at him, since he fully supported and initiated the proposal.
He emphasized that he stands firmly behind Oburu and will continue to support him as party leader.
His remarks come amid growing debate within ODM over the process used to install Oburu as party leader. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has been among the most vocal critics, claiming there was a hidden agenda behind the swift appointment.
Owino questioned why the party’s National Delegates Convention (NDC) was not convened to elect a new leader.
Similar concerns were also raised earlier by Winnie Odinga, who expressed discomfort with how quickly the leadership transition took place after Raila Odinga’s death. She warned that such actions could deepen internal divisions within the party if not properly addressed.
Despite acknowledging that ODM is currently experiencing internal disagreements, Arati remained confident that the party will stabilise under Oburu’s leadership. He said the new leadership is focused on uniting members, calming tensions, and setting a clear political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arati further cautioned individuals outside the party whom he accused of attempting to fuel divisions within ODM. He stressed that the party’s main goal is to form the next government in 2027 or, at the very least, be part of a strong governing coalition after the elections.
However, signs of internal cracks were again evident during the Kisii meeting. Several senior ODM leaders, including Babu Owino, Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, and Siaya Governor James Orengo, skipped the event.
Instead, the leaders remained in Nairobi, where they attended a church service in Dagoretti North before later addressing residents of Kawangware—an absence that further highlighted ongoing tensions within the Orange Party.
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