Africa-Press – Kenya. Opposition chief Raila Odinga will on Sunday make a return to his Nyanza backyard since the formation of the broad-based government by President William Ruto.
This is the second time Raila is visiting the politically charged region after four of his allies were incorporated in Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government.
The last time he was in his Nyanza was on July 28.
He was attending the burial of lawyer Evans Oruenjo in Alego Usonga, Siaya County.
He, however, skipped the homecoming ceremonies of former ODM leaders in government. Cooperatives and SMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya, John Mbadi (National Treasury), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum), Hassan Joho (Blue Economy) and Beatrice Askul (Asal) are some of the ODM members in Cabinet.
Minority Leader Junet Mohammed represented Raila during Oparanya’s homecoming in Butere on August 24.
The former Prime Minister will lead ODM troops to Olare, Homa Bay county for Governor Gladys Wanga’s thanksgiving ceremony.
Wanga was named ODM national chairperson a seat that was formerly held by Mbadi.
ODM also settled on governors Simba Arati (Kisii), Abdulswamad (Mombasa) and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi as deputy party leaders.
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o took over from Raila as party leader on an acting capacity.
Wanga welcomed supporters to the ceremony, terming it a momentous occasion for ODM. Raila who is in Ethiopia for the launch of his Africa Union Commission chairmanship will jet back in the country tomorrow to preside over the ceremony.
He will first have a media breakfast in Addis Ababa before flying to Nairobi and later to Homa Bay.
The ceremony will take place at Ligisa Secondary in Rangwe constituency.
It comes ahead of the party’s plans to hold grassroots elections starting this month.
ODM’s National Elections Coordinating Committee said the polls will be held on the same day across all the 47 counties.
“NECC wishes to announce that the grassroots elections will be conducted on November 27 in all polling units/centres across the 47 counties,” said NECC chairperson Emily Awita.
Each polling unit will be electing leaders for three key committees: the Mainstream, Women League and Youth League.
Within the mainstream category, several positions are open, including chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, organising secretary, treasurer, women leader, youth leader and three committee members.
For the women and youth league categories, positions will include chairperson, secretary, organising secretary and three committee members each.
President William Ruto has been campaigning for Raila’s AUC chairmanship.
On Thursday, Ruto held a meeting with diplomats across the African Continent based in Ethiopia.
Although the president did not disclose his agenda for Raila in his X post, it is understood that he seized the opportunity to lobby for his candidacy
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