- Raila has started consultations as he prepares the ground to replace Joho and Oparanya as his deputies.
- The ODM boss is keen on leaders with aggressive grassroots mobilisation skills that would match those of the former governors.
Image: ODM/X
ODM boss Raila Odinga on Monday signalled he could be picking replacements for the four Cabinet nominees to steady the party as he focuses on his continental job bid.
The opposition chief held talks with Governors Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa) and Simba Arati as part of his swift political strategy to fill the vacuum left behind by the Cabinet Secretary nominees.
The two governors, considered loyal to the party having won seats in the 2022 polls on the ODM party tickets, met Raila in Mombasa on Monday.
They are also seen as aggressive grassroots mobilisers who would be critical in steering the party's presence ahead of the 2027 polls.
Sources aware of Raila’s plans told the Star that the two governors are tipped to become Odinga’s deputies in the coming weeks to succeed Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya.
They are expected to take charge of ODM as Raila focuses on his bid for election as the African Union Commission chairperson in the February 2025 polls.
On Tuesday a top ODM official confirmed that consultations are at an advanced stage to create consensus on the Arati and Abdulswamad taking over as Raila’s deputies.
The official described the two as loyal and dependable.
“Raila needs hands-on people who will wholly step in and develop the party in Raila’s absence," he said, insisting that regional balance has also been looked into.
“Having succeeded Joho as Mombasa governor, Abdulswamad has done an amazing job and is a man that can be trusted at whatever cost, it is what I can say for Arati from Kisii region."
Arati succeeded retired Governor James Ongwae in the 2022 polls after winning with a huge margin against his main challenger and ex-Education CS Ezekiel Machogu.
Arati had previously served as MP for Dagorreti North for two terms, playing an instrumental role in the growth of the ODM party in Nairobi.
President William Ruto last week nominated some of the top ODM leaders including Raila’s two deputies to join his Cabinet as part of his broad-based government arrangement after weeks of protests.
Ruto named former governors Joho (Mombasa) and Oparanya (Kakamega) as Cabinet Secretaries in his administration should they be approved by Parliament.
The two have been the highest-ranking ODM leaders after Raila and are said to have been instrumental in enhancing the party’s fortunes in Western Kenya and the Coast.
In the 2022 general election, the two leaders were at the apex of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya presidential campaigns in which they played a key role in keeping President Ruto at bay.
ODM chairman John Mbadi and National Assembly leader of the minority Opiyo Wandayi were also proposed to take up Cabinet slots once Parliament gives the green light.
While in Mombasa, Raila also met Joho and Oparanya before holding talks with Abdulswamad and Arati on Monday.
Raila held the meetings at a time when the ODM party has been rocked by succession wars Raila’s key allies jostling for various posts including the position of National Assembly Minority leader.
President Ruto nominated Wandayi, who has been the Minority leader, as Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary under the Government of National Unity.
Among the heavyweights being touted as Wandayi’s successor include seasoned lawyer and Rarienda MP Otiende Amollo.
Amollo is serving his straight second term in the National Assembly.
Others are Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, James Nyikal(Seme ), Jared Okello(Nyando), Babu Owino(Embakasi East) and George Aladwa (Makadara).
Raila is expected to have the final decision on who takes over from Wandayi, but he faces a delicate balance in the process.
Raila would also decide on the Secretary of Political Affairs post which Wandayi occupied alongside the minority leader slot.
The ODM boss would consider regional, experience, gender and loyalty dynamics before settling on the next National Assembly minority leader.
Raila will also decide on who will succeed Mbadi as the ODM chairperson after he is nominated as National Treasury and Economic Planning CS.
Arati is currently serving as Mbadi’s deputy in ODM.