Lawyer Nelson Havi has urged ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna to move decisively and take charge of the party’s leadership.
In an interview on Monday, October 27, Havi argued that hesitation could lead to the party’s disintegration and division.
"Edwin Sifuna is my very good friend. I have some advice for him; accession to high office does not require hesitation. It doesn't require hesitation. When the king is killed, even in combat or in illness, the heir apparent must prepare for coronation quickly," he said.
Havi insisted that swift leadership action was necessary to prevent ODM from losing its national character and influence.
"So yes, he must not hesitate in taking over the leadership of ODM. In fact, by now, the ODM should have conglomerated at Chungwa House, taking over the leadership of this party.
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"Otherwise, the leadership of the party will continue disintegrating. It will continue the division and fragmentation. It will end up being a party domiciled in Siaya County alone," he added.
Havi's comments come amid growing discussions about the future of ODM and its leadership structure following its leader, Raila Odinga's death.
For instance, ODM Youth League member Kasmuel McOure issued a warning to individuals eyeing the political space left vacant by Raila, cautioning them against attempts to inherit the leadership position.
Speaking on Saturday, October 18, McOure insisted that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) now falls under the stewardship of Senator Oburu Odinga, Raila’s elder brother.
"I am sending a stern warning to those bringing antics in the name of inheriting Raila’s position. You cannot inherit Raila’s position. ODM is now firmly under the leadership of Senator Oburu Odinga," he said.
McOure further noted that the ODM party remains strong and should continue under Oburu’s leadership for the foreseeable future.
"The ODM party will be around for the next 20 years, but now it has to be under the firm leadership of Senator Oburu Odinga. They had better convene that national delegates conference and install him. He has the best ideals for the party. He has kept us together," he added.
On the other hand, Raila's younger sister, Kisumu Woman Rep Ruth Odinga, sent caution to the renegades in the ODM party.
Speaking during Raila's funeral on Sunday, October 19, Ruth noted that her elder brother left the party with the direction to take long before his death.
She said it was Raila's wish that the party remains one and strong to forge alliances with other like-minded outfits.
"He told me the day before he passed on that ODM must be united and it must be strong. We cannot have groups within the party.
"We can't have another group who thinks it owns the party, and another one wanting to take over some of you want to take the party you don't know where it started. The party belongs to all of us," she said.
The ODM party is currently under the stewardship of Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga.
In a statement on Thursday, October 16, the party confirmed that the decision was made during a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC), which unanimously agreed to have Oburu take up the leadership role in an acting capacity.
"The National Executive Committee (NEC) has this morning met and unanimously endorsed the designation of the Senator of Siaya County Dr. Oburu Oginga as the Acting Party Leader. This appointment takes effect immediately," ODM said in its statement.
