By Anderson Ojwang
The battle for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leadership has intensified after the party’s Director of Elections, Junet Mohammed, told Embakasi East MP Babu Owino that he will not win at the National Delegates Conference (NDC).
Babu on Monday demanded that the party leadership be handed over to him and called for the convening of the NDC.
However, on Wednesday during a TV interview, Junet said Babu only has a chance of winning the Nairobi gubernatorial seat and not the ODM party leadership. He explained that the party structures may undermine his bid and deny him the opportunity to lead the party.
“Babu has a chance of being a governor. He has no chance of winning at the NDC. The structure of the party doesn’t favour him. I don’t see him winning,” he said.
Junet also said that once ODM concludes branch elections, the party’s top organs will call for the NDC.
Following the demise of Raila Amolo Odinga, the former party leader, Siaya Senator Dr Oburu Odinga was appointed as the acting party leader.
Babu said his request was not a slight against anyone but a call for the youth to assume leadership roles within the party.
“The ODM party should be handed over immediately to me. 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,” he said.
Basing his argument on the latest opinion poll, Babu argued that an Infotrack poll 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. This shows that the people have spoken, and their will must be respected,” he argued.
But ODM Deputy Party Leader and Kisii Governor Simba Arati said:
“Kuna watoto wako na tabia mbaya tutawaita na wakikataa tutawaleta kwa NDC wapewe kiboko, wakwende wakaye kule chini,”
(There are some children with bad manners. We will call them, and if they refuse, we will bring them to the NDC and discipline them).
Recently, Oburu said he will call the NDC to face off with his opponents interested in the party leadership.
“I want to say to those who are claiming that Oburu was not validly elected, I challenge them—if they want the NDC, let us go to the NDC, and I will call it very soon,” he said.
EALA MP Winnie Odinga also called for the NDC, promising a battle royale and expressing concern over the rush in the management of party affairs.
“Kwanza tuko na uchaguzi wa Nairobi. Ya pili, tuende hii NDC. Na kwenye hii NDC mambo itakuwa noma. Mko tayari?”
(First, we have elections in Nairobi. Secondly, we will go to the NDC. At the NDC it will be fireworks. Are you ready?) she said.
Currently, two factions have emerged 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 that they 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, a position 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 continued influence in national politics and within the ODM. The 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.
Currently, ODM is sharply divided into two camps: one led by Oburu, in support of the broad-based government, and another opposed to the arrangement, including party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, James Orengo, and Babu Owino, among others.
Babu believes he possesses the necessary qualities to lead the party, which has been in existence for the past 20 years, towards a presidency in the 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. 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,” Owino declared.
“Even seasoned politicians vying for the party’s top seat don’t have the level of popularity I possess.”
