CS Oparanya Calls for Unity in Diversity as the Transition in ODM Takes Centre Stage

Kenya, 25 October 2025 - Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has urged Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders to embrace unity in diversity and preserve the togetherness that former Prime Minister the late Raila Amolo Odinga alias 'Baba' had long cherished.

His call comes as the party prepares for a leadership transition amid growing talk of endorsing Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga as the de facto party leader.

Oparanya’s appeal captures a defining moment for the Orange Democratic Movement as it seeks to balance continuity with renewal.

Oparanya emphasized the need for internal cohesion as ODM faces shifting political dynamics.

For nearly two decades, the party has symbolised reform, inclusivity, and resistance to injustice—values closely tied to Raila’s leadership.

His warning is timely: without unity, ODM risks losing the moral and national authority that has long set it apart.

He reminded members that the party’s strength lies not in ethnic loyalties or regional blocs but in a shared commitment to democratic ideals.

The idea of unity in diversity reflects ODM’s founding philosophy. Since its creation in 2005, the party has drawn support from all corners of Kenya, cutting across ethnicity, religion, and class.

Yet, internal competition and generational tensions now threaten that cohesion.

Oparanya cautioned that divisions could undermine ODM’s national image and weaken its influence at a time when solidarity is most crucial for its survival and relevance.

Raila Odinga’s legacy looms large over this conversation.

His charisma, resilience, and steadfast pursuit of justice earned him deep respect and loyalty across Kenya.

Oparanya’s call to uphold the unity “Baba cherished” is both homage and instruction—it challenges members to preserve Raila’s inclusive vision even as the party adjusts to new realities.

With Raila’s focus shifting to continental roles, including his bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship, ODM must manage succession with sensitivity and consensus.

The potential rise of Oburu, Raila’s elder brother, introduces both opportunity and tension.

Supporters believe Oburu’s experience and proximity to the Odinga legacy could offer stability and continuity. However, critics fear it might entrench perceptions of dynastic control within the party.

Oparanya’s insistence on unity in diversity subtly addresses this dilemma, implying that leadership renewal should be grounded in consensus and inclusivity, not inheritance.

At a broader level, Oparanya’s appeal underscores the strategic need for cohesiveness as ODM contends with external competition from the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and internal rivalries within Azimio.

He urged members to strengthen party structures, foster transparency, and maintain ideological clarity—warning that without discipline and solidarity, ODM could suffer the same fate as past political movements weakened by disunity.

Ultimately, Oparanya’s message is one of continuity and renewal.

He calls on ODM members to protect what Raila Odinga built—a movement rooted in justice, equality, and national unity.

As the party contemplates endorsing Oburu, it must ensure that the process unites rather than divides its base.

Upholding the unity that Baba cherished, Oparanya suggests, is the surest way for ODM to honour its past, manage its transition, and secure its future as a pillar of Kenya’s democracy.