NAIROBI, Kenya — Senior Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Oginga is assembling a new political team and operational base in Nairobi as political realignments gather momentum ahead of Kenya’s 2027 general election.
Sources familiar with the developments say the veteran politician has established a new office along Riverside Drive, which is expected to function as a strategic hub for political coordination, communications and outreach as the party prepares for the next electoral cycle.
The office will host a fully operational secretariat tasked with managing party engagements, political strategy and networking across the country.
Political strategist Michael Agwanda has reportedly been appointed Chief of Staff, responsible for managing Oburu’s diary and public affairs.
Agwanda previously contested the Ndhiwa parliamentary seat in the 2022 general election but lost to Martin Peters Owino.
According to sources familiar with the process, the new office is also recruiting communications professionals in a move aimed at strengthening Oburu’s public messaging and political visibility.
Several journalists have reportedly been interviewed this week as part of efforts to revamp the senator’s media and communications strategy ahead of the upcoming political season.
Political analysts say such moves reflect a broader shift within ODM as senior leaders reposition themselves in the evolving political landscape.
In a development that has drawn attention within political circles, Oburu’s security convoy has reportedly expanded to include a chase car, a formation commonly associated with high-ranking government officials.
Sources also indicate that a helicopter has been placed on standby to enable the veteran politician to attend political functions across the country at short notice.
While the arrangements have not been officially confirmed, observers say they signal the growing political significance of the ODM faction associated with Oburu.
The developments come amid uncertainty over the future of the Capitol Hill office in Upper Hill, which served as the private political headquarters of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Located in Upper Hill, the office hosted political consultations, delegations and party strategy meetings during Odinga’s decades-long political career.
Sources within ODM say the facility is currently undergoing administrative restructuring, including changes affecting staff who previously worked under the former prime minister.
A party insider familiar with operations at Capitol Hill and the ODM offices in Lavington confirmed that internal adjustments are ongoing.
“There are two categories of staff who worked for Raila. Those under government employment and others who were on his own payroll. Upon his death, those who relied on him directly have been affected,” said the insider who preferred to remain anonymous.
Reports indicate that several staff members who served Odinga for years have been informed that their services are no longer required following a staff restructuring process.
The decision was reportedly communicated during a meeting held after a memo drafted by Odinga’s Chief of Staff Andrew Mondoh dated March 5.
Among those affected was Philip Juma, Odinga’s longtime driver and a retired officer of the Kenya Prisons Service who had worked with the former prime minister for nearly two decades.
However, ODM officials have rejected claims that staff members were dismissed.
In remarks to local media, ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen said the reorganisation did not involve termination of formal employment contracts.
“They have not been sacked,” he told reporters.
Ong’wen explained that only a small number of individuals, about seven staff members, including those who worked in informal arrangements, were affected.
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He added that personnel who had been seconded from the public service remain government employees awaiting redeployment, while those formally employed by ODM continue receiving their salaries.
Meanwhile, Caroli Omondi, the Member of Parliament for Suba South, has called for the affected staff to be considered for redeployment in recognition of their service to Odinga and the party.
“They should not suffer because Raila died. There needs to be a way of ensuring that the government absorbs all of them since they are not many,” said Omondi.
The developments come as Kenya’s political landscape begins to shift ahead of the 2027 general election, with speculation that factions within ODM could seek closer cooperation with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) led by President William Ruto.
Analysts say the establishment of new political offices and communication structures may signal the early stages of coalition building and strategic positioning within the opposition and government-aligned political camps.
