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.
