ODM Party has announced key decisions after the first Central Committee Meeting chaired by acting party leader Oburu Oginga.

In a statement signed by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, ODM appealed to the party’s county officials throughout the 47 counties and all branch officials that Raila Odinga’s dream is alive in all of them.

ODM has asked the official to take up the leadership and grow the movement in their areas without fear or favour.

The Party has also appealed to the national government to release the funds owed to ODM under the political parties’ fund.

“I appeal to the national Government, that the constitutional provision for the funding of political parties is a yawning gap that has seen ODM owed billions in political party remittance. We believe that the best way for the National Government to honor the late Rt Hon Raila Odinga is to release the money owed to the party, so that our programs can run and the legacy of our leader can remain secure. Indeed, as the foremost democrat in this country, Raila had fought tirelessly for political party funding as a safeguard against state interference, and it is only fair that his memory be sanctified by the expediting of pending issues for which he sought solutions,” Sifuna said.

Sifuna said the top party organ resolved as follows:

• That we express deep gratitude to the people and the Government of Kenya for the support, outpouring of love and solidarity extended to our leader and his family following his passing.
• That we endorse Hon. Dr Oburu Oginga as the new party leader and urge to he party rank and file to accord him all the necessary support and cooperation to enable him guide the party through this difficult time.
• That in honor of his legacy as a unifier who brought together people of all shades of views and from diverse social, economic, geographical backgrounds, ODM shall continue on the path of embracing diversity, and continue the struggle for equality, justice and peace here at home and beyond our borders.
• That in line with the wishes and demands of millions of Kenyans whose lives he touched, the party will hold memorial services in many different parts country to enable these many admirers interact with and his sudden departure. Memorial venues are as follows: Magarini in Kilifi County on 2nd and 3rd,, Homabay and migori on 5th and 6th.
• That given the love Rt. Hon Raila Odinga had for ODM, we believe he has joined the nearest branch of ODM in heaven. We shall honour him here on earth by strengthening existing branches and creating new ones to allow as many of his supporters as possible stay closely with him via the party.
• That as part of the strengthening and spreading the reach of the party, the ODM@20 celebrations will proceed on the 14th 15th and 16th accompanied by activities aimed at cementing the unity and solidarity within the party. All committees tasked with preparations for the events are asked to continue with preparations.
• Once again, ODM extends its condolences to the family of Raila Odinga, his friends in Kenya and around the world, and to the people of Kenya.
• The party appeals to all members and all Kenyans to now focus on celebrating the gift of his forward and that we do in a dignified as his leadership, legacy and sacrifices to the country deserve.
• That we will participate in all the activities organised in his honour in a disciplined and respectful manner.
• As the top leadership of this party, we shall pursue all causes he dedicated his life to, do everything within our power to uphold the unity of the party and apply lessons learnt from our departed leader and comrade in the service of the nation and a people he loved and fought for. We reiterate the commitment of the Party to the broad-based government until 2027, a relationship guided by the ten point agenda entered into for the sake of peace and stability of the Country.

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ODM Party Chungwa House, Nairobi on October 30, 2020. PHOTO/ Boniface Okendo, Standard.