Editor's Review

The MP argued that the timing was insensitive as the country continues to mourn former ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has criticised the ODM Party for appointing Oburu Oginga as party leader during the ODM@20 celebrations.

Speaking on Monday, November 17, the MP argued that the timing was insensitive as the country continues to mourn former ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Amisi argued that the event should have been pushed forward to allow Kenyans space to grieve before making major political decisions. 

"The ODM at 20 celebrations and Oburu Odinga’s appointment as party leader should have been postponed. The timing was wrong, because Kenyans are still mourning Raila; some people are still crying. Why couldn't we just postpone?" he posed.

Amisi also challenged the legitimacy of Oburu's installation, saying ODM did not follow the procedures required for choosing its leaders. 

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"What is happening in ODM is not allowing Raila to rest in peace, as the party has been left in the hands of people who lack leadership. Oburu Odinga is party leader unconstitutionally. A conference of national delegates was supposed to be held," he added.

Amisi further warned that the party was repeating past political mistakes by embracing the idea of a broad-based government without proper negotiations.

"We warned the ODM party about the broad-based government because only a fool repeats the same thing and expects different results. It is not the same as Mwai Kibaki’s coalition or Uhuru Kenyatta’s handshake, because those had structured negotiations," he further said.

File image of Saboti MP Caleb Amisi

This comes days after Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang'wa raised questions over the ODM Party's succession decisions, even as he congratulated Oburu on his approval as the party’s new leader.

In a statement on Friday, November 14, the senator commended Oburu for his elevation but questioned why ODM overlooked its own deputy party leaders when selecting a new boss.

"As I congratulate my Senate colleague, Sen. Oburu Odinga, on being approved as the ODM Party Leader, my mind still wonders: among the three current Deputy Party Leaders of ODM, did none of them qualify to climb the ladder?" he posed.

Oburu was on Thursday, November 13, appointed as the new Party Leader, succeeding Raila.

In a statement, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed confirmed the development, noting that the decision was made during the ODM National Governing Council (NGC) meeting held in Mombasa.

"I congratulate Sen. Dr. Oburu Odinga on his assumption of the ODM Party Leader role. The ODM National Governing Council (NGC) sitting in Mombasa has this evening approved and affirmed Dr. Oburu as the new Party Leader, to take over from the departed dear leader, Raila Odinga," he said.

In a separate statement, the ODM Party announced a series of additional leadership appointments approved during the same meeting.

"Also approved are Deputy Party Leaders Abdulswamad Nassir, Simba Arati and Godfrey Osotsi. Others are Vice Chairpersons Ariko Namoit and Otiende Amollo. Kisumu Woman Rep Ruth Odinga and Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu had their appointments as Deputy Organizing Secretary and Secretary of Political Affairs respectively.

"They assume office subject to ratification by the National Delegates Convention (NDC)," the statement read.