By Habil Onyango
The rift within the ODM is becoming more pronounced as Embakasi East MP Babu Owino calls for the immediate transfer of party leadership to him.
Owino asserts that in politics, one must play one’s part and, as an elected leader, he is prepared to represent the interests of party supporters.
Owino emphasizes that his request is not a slight against anyone but a call for the youth to assume leadership roles within the party. Following the passing of Raila Odinga, Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga was appointed as the acting party leader.
“The ODM party should be handed over immediately,” stated the MP. “There is nothing wrong with Moses, but it’s Joshua’s time, and it is up to the party supporters to decide whether they want the ‘weakest’ or the ‘strongest’ Joshua.”
In the last general elections, Odinga claimed he was the chosen leader to guide the Kenyans to a promised land, akin to the biblical Canaan.
“It’s up to our supporters to choose whether they want a Joshua who is a peer of Moses, an older Moses, or a Joshua who is younger than Moses,” he added.
According to Owino, a recent opinion poll released by Infotrack placed him ahead of all other contenders for the party’s top seat. “The poll clearly indicated that I am the best candidate to take over the party’s leadership, with 33 percent support.
My esteemed senior, Oginga, received 10 percent, while party Chairperson Gladys Wanga came in third with 7 percent, and the others shared one percent each,” he said.
“This shows that the people have spoken, and their will must be respected.”
Currently, two factions are emerging in the struggle for control of the party: one led by Oburu Oginga, who advocates for his leadership, and another comprised of younger members such as EALA MP Winnie Odinga, her brother Raila Odinga Junior, and party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, all of whom support new party elections.
The faction led by Oburu argues that the late Odinga left them with a broad-based government under President William Ruto and are prepared to support his re-election for a second term. In contrast, the opposing group insists that before his passing, Odinga promised the party would field a candidate in the 2027 general elections, which they refuse to compromise on.
Last week, Winnie and Junior’s faction attracted a large crowd at Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi, showcasing the Odinga family’s ongoing influence in national politics and within the ODM. This gathering took place just a day after Oburu and party National Chairperson Gladys Wanga held a consultative meeting at the same venue, a known ODM stronghold.
Owino, who has long aspired to become the party leader, has now publicly stated that he is the best candidate to fill Odinga’s “shoes.”
He believes he possesses the necessary qualities to lead the party, which has been around for the past 20 years, towards a presidency in the upcoming 2032 general elections.
His immediate goal is to secure the position of Governor of Nairobi in the 2027 general elections while also preparing for the presidency.
“As a community, we have the numbers and experience needed to lead the party and capture the top position,” Owino declared.
“If you look across the entire country, there isn’t a single MP more popular than I am, thanks to my track record in development and advocacy for our people.” He added,
“Even seasoned politicians vying for the party’s top seat don’t have the level of popularity I possess.”
Owino believes he is well-suited to lead the party and is appealing to the elder members, like Oburu, to take on advisory roles.
Oburu was appointed as acting party leader following Odinga’s death. Meanwhile, the younger faction is advocating for the party to convene a National Delegates Conference (NDC) to elect new leadership.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that some individuals within the party’s leadership may attempt to manipulate the NDC to benefit select political leaders. According to Owino, party leaders must prioritize the interests of supporters over personal ambitions.
“We want the party to convene the NDC and elect a new party leader unopposed. Some may feel jealousy when I say this,” he remarked.
“The elders must understand that as a younger generation, we also have ambitions. We shouldn’t have to wait until we reach our 70s to lead the party.”
Owino claimed he was advocating for the party’s leadership even before Odinga’s passing. “Many times, even before Baba’s death, I announced, ‘Baada ya Baba ni Babu’—this is not something new.”
He alleged that certain leaders within the party plan to convene an NDC while limiting delegate invitations to only those from favorable regions.
“If they proceed with that plan, we will also call for an NDC where we can voice our concerns,” he added.
The son to Oburu Jaoko Oburu has has added his voice to the ongoing divisions within the Party, firing off a message that the party belongs to the Kenyan people and not to any individual or group.
In a statement on his X page on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Oburu warned against actions that could derail the party, in what could be construed as a response to his cousin Winnie who recently stirred controversy with her remarks about opportunists emerging from within the party after Odinga’s death.
Winnie’s remarks have seemingly sparked a fresh dimension to the divisions within ODM, with many perceiving it as a new frontier in what appears to be a family feud.
The government adviser warned against any attempts to undermine the collective efforts and sacrifices made by those who fought to establish the party.
“ODM is a national party that has been built by the sweat, pain, and resilience of the Kenyan people. It was built brick by brick through the silent sacrifices of mothers in the villages, the weary hands of workers in the cities, and the courageous stand of ordinary citizens who shared similar principles with the ODM party.
“The party doesn’t belong to an individual or a certain community; it belongs to the Kenyan people. We will remain united while being guided by the party’s constitution and the principles that were set by our founding members and Baba Raila Odinga,” his statement read.
“On this journey, we were passengers, and Baba was the driver. One day, we woke up and were shocked. The driver had died. Slowly, some people moved to the front, grabbed the steering wheel, and pulled it in different directions,” she said.
