Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has declared that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will continue to support President William Ruto’s administration under the leadership of acting party leader Dr. Oburu Odinga, in alignment with the late Raila Odinga’s vision for a broad-based government.
Speaking at the home of the late former Prime Minister in Bondo ahead of his burial on Sunday, Wandayi expressed gratitude to President Ruto for granting Raila Odinga a state funeral with full military honors, describing it as an “extraordinary act of respect” that reflects positively on the Head of State.
“I want to thank profusely and to thank in a very big way His Excellency, the president, Dr. William Ruto, for making a proclamation to accord Baba Raila Odinga a state funeral with full military honours. That is something that we cannot take for granted because he has simply used his discretion as the commander-in-chief to make that proclamation,” Wandayi stated.
“Many of you will recall that even Jaramugi Odinga, who was the first Vice President of this republic, was never accorded such honour when he passed on in 1994. And therefore, thank you very much Your Excellency President William Ruto, for honouring not only Baba and the Jaramogi family but honouring the whole community,” he added.
Wandayi, a former Minority Leader in the National Assembly, affirmed that ODM would remain committed to the broad-based government led by President Ruto, promising cooperation “now and beyond 2027.”
“Baba left us as a people in government led by President Ruto, and that is where we are going to stay till the end,” he declared, emphasizing the party’s dedication to unity and stability.
He stressed that the partnership between ODM and President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) would continue into the future, urging Raila’s supporters to stand firmly with the President in recognition of the respect shown to their late leader.
Wandayi praised the ODM National Executive Committee for appointing Dr. Oburu Odinga as the acting party leader, noting his wisdom, composure, and political experience as assets for steering ODM forward.
He called for the party to hold a National Delegates Convention (NDC) after Raila’s send-off to formally confirm Dr. Oburu’s appointment, expressing confidence that ODM under his leadership would remain strong, united, and loyal to Raila Odinga’s ideals.
“This region will remain intact within ODM under Oburu Oginga and is committed to the ideals espoused by Raila Odinga,” Wandayi assured.
