Oburu Oginga appointed acting ODM party leader

Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga has been appointed the acting Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader following his younger brother Raila Odinga’s demise.

Odinga, the party’s long-time leader, died on Wednesday in the Indian city of Kochi, where he had been under treatment for an undisclosed illness.

During a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday morning, the party unanimously agreed that Oginga take over the party leadership until the committee meets again to chart the way forward.

“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,” the party said in a statement.

President William Ruto has since announced a seven-day national mourning period, during which the Kenyan flag will be flown at half-mast in honour of the former Prime Minister.

Odinga will be accorded a state funeral with all attendant honours.

Per the four-day state funeral programme released by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, President Ruto and members of Odinga’s family will receive his body upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, then escort it to the Lee Funeral Home. 

From noon, it will be moved to the Parliament buildings in Nairobi for public viewing until 5 p.m.

A state funeral service is scheduled for Friday at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium, after which Odinga’s body will be moved to his Karen home for an overnight stay. 

It will be taken to Kisumu on Saturday morning for public viewing at the Moi Stadium, before travelling by road to Bondo for an overnight stay ahead of the Sunday interment in line with his dictates that he be buried within 72 hours of his death.