ODM Leadership Row Deepens after Babu Owino, Ruth Odinga and Sifuna Meeting
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has launched an open challenge to the leadership of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), declaring his intention to take over the party just four months after Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga assumed the role of party leader.
Speaking in an interview with NTV on Thursday, January 8, Owino called for the immediate convening of a National Delegates Conference (NDC), arguing that the forum is the only legitimate mechanism through which ODM can resolve its growing internal wrangles and install credible leadership.
According to the outspoken lawmaker, the process that led to Oburu Odinga’s rise to the party’s top seat was procedurally flawed, leaving ODM vulnerable to division and uncertainty following the death of long-time party leader and former prime minister Raila Odinga.
“What we are asking is that an NDC meeting be called with immediate effect in ODM. There was no procedure whatsoever in getting the new leadership of ODM in place,” Owino said.
Owino went further to stake a direct claim to the party leadership, portraying himself as the natural successor to Raila Odinga and accusing the current leadership of incompetence.
“We want to take the leadership of the party as soon as possible. We want to revamp the party because, as Babu Owino, I have always said that after Baba, it is Babu,” he added.
ODM split over Ruto collaboration
Owino’s remarks come amid deepening divisions within ODM, particularly over the party’s cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration. The Embakasi East MP belongs to a faction that has openly rejected the arrangement, accusing ODM leaders of abandoning the party’s opposition role.
The collaboration, however, enjoys strong backing from Oburu Odinga and influential party figures, including Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, who argue that the partnership is in the best interests of national stability.
On Thursday, Owino’s push for an NDC received backing from several senior ODM figures, among them Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, who attended a meeting aimed at charting the party’s future direction.
2027 ambitions laid bare
Owino also made it clear that his leadership would refocus ODM on contesting power in the 2027 General Election, dismissing suggestions that the party is incapable of fielding a strong presidential candidate.
“If those people think that ODM cannot produce a presidential candidate, they are short-sighted; they are dealers and not leaders. We want to help Kenyans because they are suffering,” he said.
Oburu camp hits back
Leaders aligned to Oburu Odinga have strongly pushed back against Owino’s claims, insisting that Oburu remains the legitimate and constitutionally recognised leader of ODM.
Speaking at a public event on Sunday, December 28, Junet Mohamed criticised party members who have prematurely positioned themselves for the presidency, warning that the party’s constitution does not allow such manoeuvres.
According to Junet, ODM members are still awaiting Oburu Odinga’s position on whether he intends to seek the presidency in 2027.
Oburu himself has dismissed any suggestion that he is unfit to lead, vowing to protect the party’s legacy and maintain its current political direction — including cooperation with President Ruto’s government, which he says reflects his late brother’s wishes.
“I’m not afraid to say that I will not allow myself to be shaken. I’m going to sit on the party leader seat of ODM squarely,” Oburu said.
“Anybody who thinks that Oburu Odinga is about to die soon is seriously mistaken because I’m the same age as Trump of America.”
As ODM’s internal battle intensifies, the party now faces a critical test over its leadership, unity, and role ahead of the 2027 elections.
Also Read: Government to Pay Some Kenyans Ksh6,000 Every Month for Six Months
ODM Leadership Row Deepens after Babu Owino, Ruth Odinga and Sifuna Meeting