Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has declared that despite the death of Raila Odinga, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party will remain in a working relationship with President William Ruto's government.
Speaking from Raila's home in Bondo, the CS, who is a life member of the ODM party, thanked the former Prime Minister for leaving the party on the side of President Ruto's administration.
He assured that the Party would remain in support of the President ahead of the 2027 General Elections and beyond.
"I want to affirm that Baba has left us in the government led by President William Ruto, and that is where we are going to stay till the end," Wandayi said.
"I can dare say, without fear of contradiction, that we are going to walk step by step with President William Ruto to the end, now and beyond 2027."
During his address, the CS further asserted that he supported the decision of the ODM party to appoint Raila's brother Oburu Odinga to take over the reins as the acting party leader.
He added that it was his wish that when the National Executive Committee (NEC) reconvenes after Raila's send-off, it will make Oburu's appointment official.
"ODM Party, which I belong to and all of us here belong to, has made a very wise decision to appoint Dr Oburu Odinga as the acting party leader," he said.
"In fact, I will be proposing, as a life member of ODM, that the ODM convenes very quickly, soon after Baba's send-off, for the national delegates' convention to actually confirm Dr Oburu's appointment and, in fact, to elect him formally as the party leader of ODM."
He lauded Raila's brother as the man with the wherewithal and the composure to steer the party to the next level, while still working with the ruling UDA.
The Siaya Senator was appointed as the interim party leader hours after the death of his brother, following an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday morning.
His appointment took effect immediately, and he is expected to serve in the role until the time that the top party organs meet and elect a substantive party leader.
