Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga will be chairing a meeting of an influential organ of the party over the planned grassroots elections and internal succession.

The meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday April 3, 2024 at Raila Odinga’s office at Capitol Hill in Nairobi.

According to ODM communications director Philip Etale, the Central Management Committee meeting comes at a time when the party is gearing up for party elections.

The party had initially postponed the elections that had earlier been scheduled to take place in December 2023.

The ODM organ comprising 12 members has sweeping powers to make key decisions and recommendations on the party’s affairs before the same is tabled before the general party committees. 

According to some top party officials, the meeting was expected to make a decision on whether to postpone the party elections again. 

Meanwhile, the meeting is supposed to give a way forward on who should take over from Raila as ODM party leader in case he succeeds in his bid for the African Union Commission job.

As a result, several leaders within the party have shown interest in taking over the party leader role.

For instance, on March 31, 2024 Raila Odinga cautioned Coast leaders after they endorsed former Mombasa governor Hassan Joho to be the next party leader. 

Speaking in Malindi, Kilifi County, on Sunday March 31, 2024, Raila warned that regional endorsements in different parts of the country may lead to divisions within the party.

According to Raila, continued endorsements of candidates based on their region may lead to splitting of ODM.

“We need everyone in our team because that is the only way we can be strong. We do not want these campaigns that can break the party,” said Raila.

“It is good that Coast has given their views stating that they want Hassan Joho but do not say that because he comes from the area,” he added.

However, a section of ODM leaders were suggesting the postponement of the party elections again over fears that the hotly contested elections may hurt Raila’s image as he campaigns for the AUC job.

At the same time, a section of leaders who are insisting with conducting the elections, have maintained that the party may hold peaceful grassroots elections if spread in phases over a longer duration.

Raila is a candidate for the African Union Commission chairman’s job and has received backing from President William Ruto and other Heads of States in the East African region.

The ODM party leader is seeking to take over from Moussa Faki whose term ends in February 2025.