Opposition chief Raila Odinga has tasked Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o with chairing the ODM Central Committee as he intensifies his campaign for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.

ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna made the announcement on Wednesday following a meeting of the party’s Central Committee chaired by Raila.

“In light of the gruelling campaign schedule by our Party Leader and the need for him to focus on this, he has designated H.E Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, the Governor Kisumu, to chair any and such meetings of the Central Committee that may become necessary during periods of his absence,” Sifuna announced.

The African Union Commission (AUC) Chair will be elected at the 38th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in February 2025. The AU Assembly will conduct the election by secret ballot with the newly elected Chair succeeding Moussa Faki, whose term expires next year. The successful candidate will serve a four-year term, which is renewable once.

Kenya officially launched Raila's AUC chairmanship bid on August 27, during a ceremony at State House, Nairobi. The event was attended by Heads of State and dignitaries from across the continent, reflecting broad support for Odinga’s candidacy.

Among the nations backing Odinga's bid are several East African Community (EAC) member states, including Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, and South Sudan. 

The ODM committee similarly addressed several key issues, including ongoing disruptions in the Kakamega County Assembly. ODM is dissatisfied with the obstruction of Geoffrey Ondiro’s appointment as Kakamega County Assembly Majority Leader by local leaders.

“The state of affairs in Kakamega County Assembly has now become unacceptable. The Party via official communication designated Hon. Geoffrey Ondiro as the majority leader. This directive has however been repeatedly frustrated by individuals led by the County Governor, the Speaker and the former leader of Majority Hon Maina.

The ODM Committee subsequently resolved to summon the said officials, on a later date, to resolve the back and forth.

“The Committee has therefore resolved to summon the three to appear before it at a date to be communicated. In the meantime, the Party insists that the Speaker must implement its directives and further that all purported changes to committee membership/leadership be and are revoked,” said Sifuna.

The party’s committee likewise tasked Deputy Party Leaders, Governor Simba Arati and Senator George Osotsi with addressing reports of internal wrangling between ODM members in Kilifi County

“The Party has received complaints of wrangling within its ranks in Kilifi County. Two deputy Party Leaders, Hon Simba and Hon. Osotsi to hold an urgent meeting with all stakeholders in Kilifi to resolve this matter. They shall be joined by the National Organizing Secretary, Hon. Abdisalan,”said Sifuna.

Sifuna also reminded members to adhere to official protocols and disregard any unauthorized meetings, emphasising that the entity's official communications will only come through the National Secretariat.

“Invitations to any meetings of any organs of the Party not originating from the National Secretariat should henceforth be ignored,” he said.  

The ODM committee also designated the party’s National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) with the responsibility of preparing for postponed grassroots elections scheduled for November.

“The NECC is directed to prepare to hold the postponed grassroots elections in November. The committee has further proposed that Hon. Hamida Kibwana replace Hon. Beatrice Askul on the NECC.”