By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 6 December 2025 - The burial of Berryl Odinga in Bondo unfolded as far more than a family farewell.
It became a symbolic and politically charged moment for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), offering insight into the shifting dynamics of Kenya’s opposition landscape in the post-Raila Odinga era.
What began as a solemn ceremony evolved into a stage for reaffirming ODM’s strength, projecting unity, and subtly negotiating leadership and alliances ahead of the 2027 general election.
ODM leaders used the occasion to emphasize that despite persistent predictions of decline, the party remains a formidable political force. Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir set the tone with a vigorous defence of the party’s resilience.
Pointing to the recent by-election wins in Magarini, Kasipul, and Ugunja, he said these victories demonstrated not just organisational strength but also the unwavering affection voters still hold for Raila Odinga.
“Our victories affirmed the values we stand for and showed how many people still love Baba, even posthumously,” he declared.
Nassir insisted ODM was strategically positioned for 2027, adding: “I am of the firm belief that come 2027, ODM will craft winning strategies and enter strategic alliances that will either see it form the next government or be part of it.”
Homa Bay Governor and ODM national chair Gladys Wanga echoed this message of resilience and renewal.
She dismissed claims that ODM would collapse without Raila’s constant presence, saying voters had already proven critics wrong.
“We know some people thought ODM, in the absence of Raila, was finished. But voters disapproved the critics,” Wanga said.
She called on supporters to sustain the same spirit going forward, insisting that ODM was now “more empowered and politically rejuvenated,” and stressing that unity and discipline would be essential in the run-up to 2027.
Yet beneath these public affirmations of confidence and unity lay deeper signals about the contest over who will occupy the political space long dominated by Raila Odinga.
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Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka—attending the funeral alongside DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa—used the occasion to reintroduce himself to ODM supporters as a longstanding ally of the Odinga family.
He reminded mourners of his personal and political ties, stating, “I have been a worthy loyalist of the Odinga family, and I am ready to step into Baba Raila’s shoes to lead the party and run for President in 2027.” His remarks, delivered while seated near Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi—a Ruto ally—underscored the complex political realignments currently forming within the opposition.
Wamalwa reinforced Kalonzo’s overture by praising ODM’s national influence and urging the party to unify behind a broad opposition ticket.
“ODM is the largest party,” he said, adding that the opposition must “speak in one voice” and that Kalonzo deserved “support in the united opposition chorus.”
His comments made clear that questions of succession are no longer confined within ODM but are now part of a wider negotiation among opposition figures seeking direction after Raila.
Yet the orderly projection of unity was briefly disrupted. Tensions rose when rowdy youths heckled leaders moments after the arrival of Kalonzo and Wamalwa, nearly derailing the ceremony.
Ida Odinga took the microphone to condemn those responsible, warning politicians who “ferried goons to disrupt the smooth burial rites” that such conduct dishonoured both the family and the occasion.
Ruth Odinga also lambasted the hecklers, reflecting the family’s frustration with political interference during mourning.
The incident exposed the delicate balance ODM must strike as it navigates internal expectations, external alliances, and succession uncertainties.
While leaders emphasised loyalty to Dr Oburu Oginga Odinga and reiterated their commitment to the party’s leadership structures, the disruptions hinted at underlying tensions among supporters—tensions that may resurface as the 2027 race approaches.
Ultimately, the burial offered a revealing snapshot of ODM at a moment of transition: confident, energised, and eager to demonstrate relevance, yet still grappling with the complexities of leadership change and coalition-building.
As the party charts its post-Raila future, its challenge will be to maintain unity while negotiating shifting alliances and ambitions. The path to 2027, as the events in Bondo showed, remains fraught but undeniably pivotal for the opposition and for Kenya’s broader political landscape.
