‘I’m The Rightful Successor of ODM, not Oburu’. Babu Owino
Babu Owino, the Member of Parliament for Embakasi East, has made it clear that he’s eager to step into the leadership role of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), just a few months after Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga took the reins.
In an interview with NTV on Thursday, January 8, Babu urged ODM members to convene a National Delegate Conference (NDC) to facilitate his swift takeover of the party.
He believes he is the rightful heir to the party leadership following the passing of former leader Raila Odinga, arguing that the process for selecting new leadership was flawed. Babu has voiced concerns about the current leadership, labeling it as incompetent and irregular.
The MP is hopeful that the upcoming conference will play a crucial role in alleviating the growing political tensions that have been simmering within the party since last October.
“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.
“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.
The MP is part of an ODM camp that’s currently pushing back against the party’s partnership with President William Ruto’s administration. This collaboration has strong backing from the ODM’s party leader, Oburu Odinga, along with other key figures like Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.
Babu’s call for the NDC conference received support from fellow party members, including Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, who all gathered for a meeting on Thursday.
The MP stated that once he steps into the party leadership role, he’ll make it a priority for ODM to put forward a presidential candidate ready to take on President Ruto in the much-anticipated general elections in 2027.
“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,” Babu said.
On the flip side, leaders backing Oburu have been quite outspoken in criticizing those who oppose him as the party leader. They emphasize that he’s the right person to guide the party in the proper political direction.
During a public event on Sunday, December 28, MP Junet Mohamed took aim at party members who have supposedly declared themselves ready for the presidency. He pointed out that the party’s constitution doesn’t permit anyone to position themselves as a presidential candidate in the upcoming general election, except for the party leader.
The lawmaker mentioned that party members are still waiting for Oburu to confirm whether he intends to run for the country’s top position.
Oburu reassured everyone that he still has the energy to lead the party and won’t allow anyone to undermine the strong reputation and legacy that the former prime minister built for the party.
He also highlighted that the party will continue to honor the broad-based arrangement with President William Ruto, in line with the wishes of his late brother.
“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, and anybody who thinks that Oburu Odinga is about to die soon is seriously mistaken because I’m the same age as Trump of America,” Oburu said.
‘I’m The Rightful Successor of ODM, not Oburu’. Babu Owino
