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.

By Anderson Ojwang

The dust over the role played by Azimio La Umoja Secretary General Junet Mohammed in the coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s loss has refused to settle and continues to gather storm.

Former Secretary General of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Cleophas Malala, on Tuesday added fuel to the fire by claiming that Junet was UDA presidential candidate William Ruto’s ‘agent’ in Raila’s team and that he gave them ODM agents’ data.

Junet was the Secretary General of the Azimio La Umoja coalition and has recently come under attack for allegedly bungling Raila’s 2022 presidential election.

“Junet Mohammed has been Raila’s right-hand man for a very long epoch. He was the one managing and ensuring Baba took his medicine on time. He was closer to Baba than even his children. Baba entrusted Junet with his life. Sadly, he is the one who has caused Baba to lose all the elections. The other day, you, Sifuna, claimed that Junet misappropriated monies meant for agents. I want to confirm here, in this interview today, I was William Ruto’s right-hand man. We were in UDA; at night Junet used to come to see William Ruto, brief him on everything. We even had the list of agents for ODM across the country. We knew who was going to be an ODM agent in which place courtesy of Junet. Junet did not pick our calls or respond to our text messages over these allegations. That guy started betraying Baba when he was still alive,” he said.

Recently, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna accused Junet of misappropriating agents’ funds and bungling Raila’s campaigns. Sifuna also accused the party’s Director of Elections, Junet Mohammed, of allegedly failing to pay presidential agents.

Sifuna blamed Junet for undermining Raila’s chances of forming the government in the 2022 general election.

“We are now mourning. If it was not for you, we could have formed the government,” Sifuna said.

Sifuna, who spoke at a funeral in Mt Kenya, demanded a thorough audit of the 2022 presidential campaigns.

“The day we will start the audit of the 2022 elections, it is good you have started the debate. Let everyone say their contribution in the 2022 general elections,” he said.

However, Junet denied the accusations and instead blamed former President Uhuru Kenyatta, whom he accused of appointing his blood brother, Muhoho Kenyatta, to manage the agents’ funds.

“The answer is simple, clear, and verifiable: Former President Uhuru Kenyatta released the funds meant for election agents to his blood brother, Muhoho Kenyatta,” he said.

Junet said that once Muhoho took charge, they never procured any agents for Raila Odinga, neither in Mt Kenya nor in Luo Nyanza, describing it as a long con game.

“Let the record also be set straight: Hon. Raila Odinga would have had no reason whatsoever to appoint me — Hon. Junet Mohammed — as the Leader of Minority in the National Assembly if I had truly betrayed him. For years, I handled all the delicate assignments from our late dear Party Leader with fidelity and diligence,” he said.

He challenged Uhuru, Muhoho, and Patrick Mburu to come clean on the matter and deny his claims.

Similarly, the Azimio La Umoja Volunteer Board, through one of its members, Ronny Raburo, accused Junet of shedding crocodile tears when he failed to address the Central Kenya agents’ issue.

Raburo, who met with the late Raila at breakfast ahead of the elections over the emerging presidential agents’ issue in Central Kenya, said the former prime minister tasked Junet to urgently handle the matter.

Ronny Raburo said that despite addressing the agents’ issue with Raila at a breakfast meeting and Raila tasking Junet to urgently handle it, the latter went mute.

“Raila called Junet and told him to handle our issue as a matter of urgency. We went downstairs with Junet to meet Julie Nabwera and Jackie (members of the volunteer board). After our brief on the situation in Central Kenya, Junet gave me his number to call him later in the day to meet him at the Kenya School of Law, Karen. Junet is yet to receive my calls to date,” he wrote.

Raila’s chief agent during the August 9 elections, Saitabao Kanchory, claimed that Raila only listened to one person — Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.

“We could not have lost this election if it weren’t for three people. The first one is Junet Mohamed, the second is Joe Mucheru, and the third is Makau Mutua. These are people I have worked with and respect, but in terms of responsibility, they take the highest responsibility,” he said on NTV.

According to Kanchory, Junet ran a one-man show and the former prime minister sided with everything he said, even when it was clearly wrong.

“The only person Baba would listen to without question was Junet. Even if you had truth and you told Baba, and Junet came with darkness, Baba would side with Junet. Junet Mohamed is one man who purported to know everything and nullified everything everyone said. He also ensured that people who could have helped Baba were kept at arm’s length,” he said.

Uriri MP Mark Nyamita recently demanded that Junet resign as Director of Elections after he failed to deliver the presidency in the 2022 general elections.

“I told Junet that in a mature democracy, when you are Director of Campaigns and Director of Elections and you fail in that election, the honourable thing to do is to resign,” he said.

Nyamita blamed Junet for bungling Raila’s 2022 presidential bid and said he should never be allowed to dictate and control community politics.

“Donge ngani ema okethonwa gigi kod gimiel moko matindo tindo. We are in pain as a people. Wan gi rem kaka oganda. Kendo koro sani odwa pango wango. Nyasaye achiel wangni wabiro deal kodi,” he said.

After the general election, the Azimio La Umoja Coalition dismissed allegations that some members of the secretariat squandered money budgeted for agents in the August 2022 elections.

Azimio spokesperson Prof. Makau Mutua, in a statement, wrote: “I have seen scurrilous attacks on Junet Mohammed accusing him of misappropriation of campaign funds meant for agents. Let me state without equivocation that Hon. Junet was a campaign leader in the field supporting Hon. Raila. He at no time handled the money meant for the agents, nor did he have anything whatsoever to do with the management of the agents.”

By Anderson Ojwang

Last Sunday, it was a cat-and-mouse game in Kakamega County for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Dr Oburu Oginga.

Dr Oburu found himself in a delicate balancing act and, to save face, he juggled between two parallel rallies in the county. It was a litmus test for the party leader over the handling of two rival camps claiming county party leadership.

In this balancing act, Oburu was forced to attend two parallel ODM delegates’ rallies in the county. One was organized by Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and his allies, led by Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, who claims the county chairmanship. This rally was held at Mabole Primary School grounds in Butere Sub-county.

From Butere, Oburu proceeded to Kakamega town, where Governor Ferdinand Barasa was holding a parallel delegates’ meeting at Linda Grounds.

Interestingly, Oparanya accompanied Oburu to the venue but left immediately before the Siaya Senator could introduce him to the crowd.

When Oburu spoke in Kakamega, he said, “I was invited to Butere and I went to eat breakfast. But when I reached there, I found people saying they were the bona fide delegates.

We spoke and addressed them because, rightly, they are our people. I was with Oparanya. Can you see him around so that we can resolve this matter? Is Oparanya around? He left by chopper.

We want one Kakamega. I have spoken with Chairman Barasa. He has no problem and he wants a united Kakamega,” he said.

However, Oparanya later posted on his X handle, “I was honored to host the ODM party leader, Senator Dr Oburu Oginga, alongside other national leaders, during an ODM delegates’ consultative forum held at Mabole Primary School grounds in Butere Sub-county, Kakamega County.

The consultative forum brought together party leadership and delegates for open engagement, reflection, and dialogue on issues that matter to the people and the future of inclusive development.”

Busia Governor Dr Paul Otuoma, when he took to the podium, went straight to the issue of county party leadership, stating that Governor Barasa was the duly recognized party chairman.

“The chairman of Kakamega County ODM is Governor Ferdinand Barasa. You can see we have the party’s Executive Director, Mr Oduor Ong’wen, Deputy Party Leader Kisii Governor Simba Arati, Director of Elections Mr Junet Mohammed, and the party National Chairman, Governor Gladys Wanga. This makes it clear who the party chairman is,” he said.

Otuoma said he had contested for the Busia County chairmanship and was taken to the party tribunal and court, but he remains the chairman.

“In Kakamega, I have not heard of any complaints lodged to the party tribunal or court. Which problem does Kakamega have? The ODM chairman is Barasa.

If there is any dispute, it should be in Busia. The party tribunal and court ruled against me, but I am still the party chairman.

You have no problem. There is no complaint lodged with the party. I do not know what this noise is all about. In Kakamega, I went to the party to ask if there was any complaint and I was told there was none.

The party organs are clear. Any dispute launched will be handled within 72 hours,” he said.

Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang downplayed the Oparanya wing, saying, “In Butere, we went to drink tea. ODM is like a beautiful girl whom men fight over. That is why we have the fight in Kakamega.

Today, we have come to meet the delegates under the leadership of Barasa.”

Junet Mohammed declared that according to records at the party elections board, Barasa was the Kakamega County ODM chairman.

“I want to clarify on behalf of the party. I am the ODM Director of Elections. In the ODM books, the chairman is Ferdinand Barasa. That is the position. I know there is a dispute, but it will be listened to,” he said.

He added that the matter was discussed at the party’s Central Committee and resolved in favor of Barasa.

“Those on the other side are also ODM members. They are our people. We must run the party from the true position. This matter was discussed in the Central Committee and it was resolved that the elections board had declared Barasa as the chairman,” he said.

Simba Arati was firmer, declaring that Barasa was the county chairman and that the matter should be laid to rest.

“Chairman, I came here and, as Deputy Party Leader, we will not allow confusion in the party. The Governor is the party chairman. There are no dissenting voices. We must have discipline in the party.

For the residents of Kakamega, under your chairmanship, Governor Barasa, you must ensure the party is united,” he said.

With the fallout in ODM over the pre-election pact with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Kakamega County leadership remains a key litmus test for Oburu’s leadership acumen.

By Habil Onyango

Since the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who was also the leader of the ODM party, disputes have arisen regarding the future of the party’s leadership.

Two factions have emerged in the struggle for control: one led by Odinga’s elder brother, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, advocating for his leadership, and another led by younger members, including EALA MP Winnie Odinga, her brother Raila Odinga Junior, party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino among others who are pushing for new party elections.

The faction led by Oburu insists that the late Odinga left them with a broad-based government under President William Ruto and that they are ready to support his reelection for a second term.
However, the opposing group maintains that before his passing, Odinga promised that the party would field a candidate in the 2027 general elections, which they do not agree with.

Last week, Winnie and Junior’s faction drew a large crowd at Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi, demonstrating the continued influence of the Odinga family in both national politics and within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
This gathering occurred just a day after Oburu and the party’s National Chairperson, Gladys Wanga, held a consultative meeting at the same venue, which is seen as an ODM stronghold.

Babu Owino, who has long aspired to assume the position of party leader, has now publicly declared that he is the best candidate to fill Odinga’s “shoes.”

According to Owino, he possesses all the qualities necessary to lead the party, which has been in existence for the past 20 years, into the presidency during the upcoming 2032 general elections. His immediate goal is to become the Governor of Nairobi in the 2027 general elections while also preparing for the country’s top seat.

“As a community, we have the numbers and experience required to lead the party and capture the top position,” Owino stated.
“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 the seasoned politicians vying for the party’s top seat don’t have the same level of popularity as I do.”

Owino believes he is well-qualified to lead the party and is appealing to the “elders,” such as Oburu, to take on advisory roles. Oburu was appointed as the acting party leader following Odinga’s death.
Meanwhile, the younger faction is calling for the party to convene a National Delegates Conference (NDC) to elect new leadership.

There are unconfirmed reports suggesting that certain individuals within the party’s leadership plan to manipulate the NDC to benefit specific political leaders.
According to Owino, party leaders must prioritize the interests of party supporters over personal ambitions.

“We want the party to convene the NDC and elect a new party leader unopposed. When I say this, some feel jealous,” 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 stated that he had been advocating for the party’s leadership even before Odinga’s passing. “Many times, even before Baba’s death, I announced that ‘baada ya Baba ni Babu’—this is not something new.”
He alleged that there are plans by some individuals within the party to convene an NDC while limiting delegate invitations to only those from favorable regions.

“If they continue with that plan, we will also call for an NDC where we will be elected as the party leaders,” Owino warned.
He questioned the urgency of party officials in electing an interim leader even before the founder’s burial.

“If these leaders truly cared for the late party leader who helped them attain various political positions, why are they sidelining his children and the entire family, who have expressed their dissatisfaction with the party’s management? Some seem to have the intention of selling the party,” he said.

Owino spoke during a morning talk show in one of the vernacular stations on January 20, 2026.

By Anderson Ojwang

Kisumu County has arguably produced two of the best governors in the last three electioneering calendar.
The first and founding Kisumu county Governor, Mr. Jack Nyanungo Ranguma, is a respected financial administrators having retired from Kenya Revenue Authority as Tax Commissioner. Ranguma was respected and honored for his administrative acumen and non-controversial nature.
He set the precedent and foundation on which the Kisumu has been flourishing and still draws a huge political constituency.

The second Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o is a respected scholar and a political reformer, who has been in the struggle for the constitutional dispensation.
Nyong’o commands respect within and without the county; he is a no-nonsense leader who loathes violence but prefers dialogue and peaceful settlements to emerging disputes.

But the recent statement by Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor, who is also a gubernatorial aspirant for the Kisumu county seat, at a church function raised red flags over a possible return of political thuggery in the region.

“Ka nitie joma dwaro tugo kod unity mar Luo Marwa.. An asewachonu ni koro adok yawo law firm mara. Ok ayawe for profit but mar ni ka yudhe wa ochwadi to omakgi to adhi yalone gi (If there are some people who want to play with the unity of the Luo nation. I am telling you, I will reopen my law firm not for business but to represent our political youths should they be arrested over violence)” he declared.

During the Ford-K, Liberal Democratic Party, the now defunct National Development Party (NDP) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) era, youths allied to the party terrorized the residents of Kisumu and Nyanza with contrary opinions on politics and challenged the leadership of the late Raila Odinga.

During that time, Kisumu witnessed running battles between youths allied to former Kisumu mayor, the late Aloyce Oile, the leader of Baghdad Boys, against those supporting Raila.
Similarly, the supremacy battle between Raila and Siaya Governor James Orengo also put Kisumu on the edge, with political violence becoming a common feature in the city and the region.

But when Raila and his political opponents buried the hatchet, the running battles between the camps ceased and calm returned to the city.

Aduma, when contacted for comment over his statement, did not pick our calls or reply to text messages.

Aduma also declared that those who are opposed to and do not pledge allegiance to Siaya Senator Dr Oburu Odinga as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader will not be elected to any political seat in Nyanza.

“Onge kom ma ibiro yudo e pinywa ka ok iluwori kod Oburu e piny Luo ka. (There is no political seat you will be elected to in Nyanza if you do not pledge allegiance and respect Dr Oburu Odinga as the ODM party leader)” he said.

Kisumu county had in the past been flagged as a violent region,