Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Deputy Party Leader Wycliffe Oparanya has called for a change of the guard within the party's leadership ranks.
In an exclusive interview with Milele FM on Friday, February 9, Oparanya advocated for the retirement of long-standing folks who have held their positions since the party's inception in 2005.
While calling on youths to take up leadership positions, Oparanya asserted that it was time for fresh minds and youthful energy to take charge.
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"Wakati huu, tunataka uchaguzi kamili, kwa sababu unaona mtu ako miaka sitini na tano, na bado anajiita youth leader, wengine wamekua viongozi kwa miaka ii yote, kwanzia 2005 wakati tulianza ODM, mtu amekua mwenye kiti wa4kati huo wote. Watu kama hao wasonge mbele, wengine wapate nafasi, haswa vijana wapate nafasi. Vijana waende recruitment kwenye part ya ODM. Vijana wenye umaaruf, wamama waingie ndani. Tunataka vijana wajisajili kwenye ODM," Oparanya declared.
Loosely translated as;
"At this time, we want complete elections because you see someone sixty-five years old still calling themselves a youth leader, others have been leaders for all these years, since 2005 when ODM started, a person has been in the same position all that time. People like that should move forward, others should get a chance, especially the youth should get a chance. The youth should be recruited into the ODM party. Youth with fresh ideas and women should also join. We want young people to register with ODM."
Oparanya: "Unapata mtu ako na miaka 65 na bado anajiita youth leader." #LuchivyaNaWilbrodaMilele @Luchivya @JacqueyWilbroda pic.twitter.com/RvKF81wOwP— Milele FM (@Milele_FM) February 9, 2024
Oparanya eyeing 10M members for ODM
The Raila Odinga-led outfit is looking to have 10 million members before it holds its internal elections in April 2024.
Recently, Oparanya said that ODM's greatest goal was to become the largest party in the country by getting 10 million members by April.
"Our objective in ODM is to have 10 million members by April when we shall be doing our internal elections,'' Oparanya said.
He encouraged Kenyans who believe in ODM's ideas to join the party.
At a membership drive in Nairobi, Oparanya hinted that this effort is to solidify support for Raila's presidential bid in 2027.
He emphasized that with more members, they can ensure Raila's victory in the upcoming election.
Oparanya stressed that if they keep recruiting members effectively, Raila's path to the State House will be clear in 2027.
"When we have more members we will be sure that in 2027 we shall send Baba(Raila) to State House,'' Oparanya said.
Adding;
"We have agreed that if we register members properly, then it will be over for 2027 so that Raila gets to State House."
