Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa has questioned the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party over the criteria used to select Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga as the new party leader.
His comments came just a day after ODM officially announced Oburu as the successor to the late Raila Odinga.
In a statement released on Friday, November 14, the UDA senator congratulated Oburu on his elevation but wondered why ODM ignored its three deputy party leaders during the selection.
In a statement released on Friday, November 14, the UDA senator congratulated Oburu on his elevation but wondered why ODM ignored its three deputy party leaders during the selection.
Thang’wa asked whether none of the deputies—Abdulswamad Nassir, Simba Arati, or Godfrey Osotsi—qualified to take over the party.
“As I congratulate my Senate colleague, Sen. Oburu Odinga, my mind still wonders: among the three Deputy Party Leaders of ODM, did none of them qualify to climb the ladder?” he wrote.
Oburu’s appointment was confirmed on Thursday by Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, who announced that the ODM National Governing Council (NGC) had approved him during a meeting in Mombasa.
“As I congratulate my Senate colleague, Sen. Oburu Odinga, my mind still wonders: among the three Deputy Party Leaders of ODM, did none of them qualify to climb the ladder?” he wrote.
Oburu’s appointment was confirmed on Thursday by Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, who announced that the ODM National Governing Council (NGC) had approved him during a meeting in Mombasa.
This marks a major shift for the party following Raila Odinga’s death on October 15, 2025.
Junet praised Oburu’s long service and said he was the right choice to guide the party through its transition as ODM prepares for the next general election.
In addition to appointing Oburu, ODM also made several other leadership changes. The party confirmed Abdulswamad Nassir, Governor Simba Arati, and Senator Godfrey Osotsi as deputy party leaders.
Junet praised Oburu’s long service and said he was the right choice to guide the party through its transition as ODM prepares for the next general election.
In addition to appointing Oburu, ODM also made several other leadership changes. The party confirmed Abdulswamad Nassir, Governor Simba Arati, and Senator Godfrey Osotsi as deputy party leaders.
Other appointments included Ariko Namoit and Otiende Amollo as vice chairpersons. Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga and MP Rosa Buyu were also assigned new roles in the Organizing and Political Affairs departments.
All these appointments will still need final approval from the National Delegates Convention (NDC).
Thang’wa’s comments come just weeks after he and Nyandarua Senator John Methu visited Oburu at his home.
All these appointments will still need final approval from the National Delegates Convention (NDC).
Thang’wa’s comments come just weeks after he and Nyandarua Senator John Methu visited Oburu at his home.
The visit, which happened shortly after Oburu began taking on new responsibilities, was described as a gesture of support and sympathy.
Thang’wa said the visit allowed them to learn from Oburu’s long political experience, describing it as a moment of mentorship for young leaders.
Thang’wa said the visit allowed them to learn from Oburu’s long political experience, describing it as a moment of mentorship for young leaders.
He added that Oburu shared many lessons from his years in politics, which he believed would help guide the next generation.
Tags
Politics