Breaking: Nyong’o appointed ODM interim party leader

By Peter Ochieng

Kisumu governor Peter Anyang’ Nyong'o has been appointed Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) interim party leader.

The second term governor will hold brief for Odinga in an acting capacity, as he intensifies campaigns for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship seat.

Elections will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in February 2025, with Odinga among the frontrunners.

Nyong’o, the founding ODM Secretary General was handed the new mandate during the party’s Central Committee meeting on Wednesday, chaired by Odinga, in perhaps his last official party role before he fully swings into the AUC campaigns.  

Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna said Nyong’o will now, among others, chair central committee meetings during Odinga’s absence.

“That in light of the gruelling campaign schedule by our Party leader and the need for him to focus on this, he has designated H.E Peter Anyang Nyong’o, the Kisumu governor to chair any and such meetings of the Central committee that may become necessary during periods of his absence.”

Raila gave Nyong’o his blessings to steer the ODM ship in his absence, ahead of Siaya governor James Bob Aggrey Orengo, Homabay county boss, Gladys Nyasuna Wanga, Kisii’s Paul Simba Arati and Sifuna.

ODM supporters reacted differently to the new move. Here is a sample:

Kenyan Emperor: @HEBabuOwino, these guys are joking a lot. It’s high time we form another party.

Kipsang: Nyong'o is a bonafide shareholder of ODM. Nyong'o, Raila and James Orengo are the only ones with Class A shares, which gives them veto powers and dividend entitlement.

Raila has donated a few Class A shares to Joho, but they are geo-locked, only relevant at the coast.

Ja Uholo: ODM could not find a young person to be the Party leader. They said that old is gold.

King: This is a wise, and timely move. Very few of these current political noisemakers will know or even remember that Professor Nyong'o is amongst the clear minds that formulated the existing ODM Party software.

As a party member, I am happy that we have returned to our intellectual roots and will not be swayed by trends. Good health and all the best to prof as he executes this mandate.

Youthful ODM supporters were vouching for Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino to be handed the reins.