Africa-Press – Kenya. ODM party leader Oburu Odinga says his leadership will be guided by caution and responsibility, insisting he will not plunge the Luo community into “deep waters” or unsafe political choices as leaders chart the region’s next political path.
Speaking during a Luo Leaders Forum held in Kisumu for consultation and reflection on the political and socio-economic future of the community, Oburu said leadership requires restraint, collective decision-making, and accountability to the people.
“As a leader, I cannot plunge people into deep waters or take them to a place that is not secure,” Oburu told the forum, drawing loud approval from the gathering.
The meeting brought together leaders drawn from different sectors across the four counties of Siaya, Kisumu, Migori and Homa Bay.
Oburu said he never sought the position he now occupies and did not imagine a future in which he would step into the political space left by his elder brother, the late Raila Odinga.
“I never applied to be the ODM party leader. I never dreamt that Raila would die and that I would bury him,” he said.
He added, “His death hurts me deeply. I always believed he would bury me instead, and in a beautiful ceremony.”
He described the responsibility he now carries, saying, “I did not know there would come a day when I would have to wear his shoes. He is my brother, but his shoes are huge. I am not his copy-paste.”
Oburu told the forum that his ability to lead depends entirely on the support of the people, whom he openly asked to affirm whether they still trusted him with the task of guiding the party and the community. The crowd responded with chants of endorsement.
“It is the people who give a leader strength. Without your support, I cannot move forward.”
He reminded the gathering that Raila Odinga did not leave the community without direction but positioned it within a broad-based political arrangement anchored on a 10-point agenda focused on national unity, youth inclusion, and economic empowerment.
“Raila left us in a broad-based arrangement with a clear agenda,” Oburu said.
Oburu warned against political strategies that would confine the Luo community to permanent opposition while other communities benefit from participation in government.
“There are people who want our community to remain in opposition as other communities continue to reap from the government,” he said.
He added, “That would be leading our people into danger.”
He said ODM would begin engagement with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) as a first partner, followed by consultations with other political formations, noting that the party is already part of the broad-based government framework.
“We will begin talks with UDA as our first partner, and then others,” Oburu said, adding that critics had accused the party of moving too fast.
However, he insisted that any engagement must be conducted from a position of unity and strength.
“I am the one who negotiated for our current position in the broad-based government,” he said. “But now we must negotiate from a position of strength.”
Using biblical imagery, Oburu likened himself to Joshua, tasked with completing a journey begun by Moses.
“I will ensure I take you to Canaan as the remaining Joshua, even if the road passes through Singapore,” he said, adding that Raila Odinga’s dream was to see the community attain political and economic security.
Oburu further urged the community to strengthen its bargaining power by ensuring widespread civic participation.
“We must ensure our people acquire national identity cards and vote in huge numbers when the time comes. That is how we protect our future.”
